Panton then handed the mic over to Queen Square Area Rep Godwin Haylock, who lamented the rise in bus fares. He added that the NBC promised reduced rates, not an increase, which he said will mostly affect those who commute daily for work.
Godwin Haylock, Area Rep., Queen Square
"It is anticipated that the cost of bus fares from Belize City to Belmopan will increase by a whopping $2. This government needs lashing. Let's take for example the public servant starting his or her career in Belmopan making less than $1,300 monthly. That's just over $300 per week as your take home salary. They will have to pay $40-$50 per week on bus fares and that's one way. If you go and come, that's nearly $100 per week as their bus fares."
"You all know that this bus increase is completely the opposite that was promised to us about a month ago with the national bus company when they say we're going to buy in bulk, that they will create fuel depot that will reduce the cost of fuel, that they will create more efficient buses, none of that has arrived to this country."
"Not only this party leader but many other party leaders from the UDP have indicated that we must reduce the tax on fuel, it's killing the economy. And with the bus fare, my party leader again has been clear, there must be subsidies, there must be something to dampen the shock of constantly increasing prices with every increase in fuel. There must be an alternative."
