Nové oddělení v International Bus Transportation Regulations

Abychom upřesnili dopad International Bus Transport Regulations na naše turistické partnery v podnikání, Belize Tourism Board se setkali s ředitelkou přepravní kanceláře, paní Candy Saldivar Morter v Belmopanu.

Mrs. Saldivar-Morter addressed several concerns raised by representatives from the Belize Tourism Board, the Belize Tourism Industry Association, and the Belize Hotel Association. In April, 2009, 4 categories of cross border transportation and regulations were enforced (see below). The Transport Department has become aware of special circumstances in the Tourism Industry and as such, the Minister of Transport has given the go-ahead to add an additional category for entry of buses. This category will be called the Charter Tour category with the following components.

V.Charter Tour - for buses coming into Belize to hotels with overnight and tour itineraries only. This special category will allow for the transport of tourists from Guatemala direct to the hotel they will be staying at, to take any tours planned on their itinerary and to leave the country again With this category, all tourists must be a part of a planned tour group and must be manifested upon entry. The group is allowed to leave from a different border point such as the PGIA or Northern Border, but all manifested guests must leave together. The Tour bus would then need to return to Guatemala empty. They would not be allowed to pick up different guests to take over to Guatemala. No buses will be allowed to enter the country empty to pick up passengers and take them back to Guatemala/Mexico.

In the case of hotels and tour operators in San Ignacio and other border towns who wish to bring their guests over from Guatemala directly to their hotel, it is possible to charter a minibus from Guatemala directly to the hotel. In this case, the minibus would enter under the "Charter" permit. Only buses/mini busses can be chartered to cross the border though. Regular taxi’s will not be allowed to cross the border and take passengers directly to hotels. According to the Transport Department, a bus is considered to be any vehicle which can hold 7 + 1 passengers. The cost of this permit will be BZ$25 per trip, the same as the cost for the other category permits.

The Ministry of Transport has meetings planned with the Governments of Mexico and Guatemala to formalize regulations for travel between the three countries. Once these agreements are signed it will be shared with the industry. The Ministry of Transport has advised that if you need any further clarification on the specifics of any tours, please contact them at departmentoftransport@yahoo.com. They will be giving individual advice to Tour Operators and Hotels as needed.

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For further clarification see the April 2009 regulations below: The Ministry of Public Utilities, Transport, Communications and National Emergency Management hereby informs that the changes regarding the International Road Transportation services in Belize will be conducted as follows. The enforcement of these procedures will take effect on Monday 20th April, 2009.

I. Direct Intransit

A manifest of passengers will be needed at points of entry and departure. The Boom Road is to be used for all direct intransit trips. II. Tour:

A manifest of passengers will be needed at point of entry and departure (Same In – Same Out). A Belize tour guide to be used on all tours. The cost of guide is to be paid by the tour. III. Charter to Belize City Water Taxi:

A manifest of passengers will be needed at entry and destination points. Drop off of passengers is only to be done at the Water Taxi Bus Stop on North Front Street in Belize City Charters will be allowed to return with passengers only from Water Taxi the same day. IV. Indirect Intransit

A manifest of passengers will be needed at the point of entry, Belize City Water Taxi and point of departure from Belize. Drop off of passengers will be allowed at the Water Taxi. This bus will be allowed to continue to Mexico/Guatemala with the remainder of the passengers only. These buses cannot pick up anyone at Water Taxi. These buses are required to pay for a guard or transport officer to the Belize City Water Taxi These buses cannot pick up anyone on way to Mexico/Guatemala. General Regulation: No category of international transportation will be allowed to pick up any passengers in Belize – except Tours and Charters at Belize City Water Taxi. Permit will state after three (3) violations, they will be cancelled. Fines will be imposed on violations. Taxis will be allowed to bring in passengers but cannot return with different persons on return journey. Other forms of public transportation follow the normal immigration and customs procedures.

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