Transport in Belize
This article is about transport in Belize.
Public transportation
Most Belizeans travel by bus as their main form of transportation. In the large towns and cities, such as Belize City, there are bus terminals. In smaller places, there are bus stops. However, the most common way of catching a bus is by flagging it down on the road. On the Northern and Western Highways, bus service is more frequent than on smaller highways and other roads. In some locations, like small towns, buses may run only once a day. Buses are classified as either Regular runs (usual prices) or Express runs (faster, for slightly higher prices). Many buses are old Greyhounds or school buses, although newer express buses travel the two main highways.
A new zoning system was implemented on Sunday, October 19, 2008. [1] Accordingly, the country is divided into zones: Northern (highway/rural), Southern (highway/rural), Western (highway/rural). Bus providers are restricted to assigned zones:
- Buses that can operate on the highway in the Southern Zone are: James Bus Line, Usher Bus Line, G-Line Service.
- Buses that can operate in the rural areas of the Southern Zone are: Chen Bus Line, Yascal Bus Line, Smith Bus Line, Richie Bus Line, Martinez Bus Line, Williams Bus Line, Radiance Ritchie Bus Line, Polanco Bus Line.
- Buses that can operate on the highway in the Western Zone are: National Transportation Services Limited, Guerra’s Bus Service, D and E, Shaw Bus Service, Belize Bus Owner’s Cooperatives (B.B.O.C.).
- There was no change in the runs in the Western Zone’s rural area at this time. The Northern Zone bus runs continue as they are at this time, with the exception of the Ladyville Shuttle Service which will now be provided by Skai’s Bus Line, Flores Bus Service and Ramos Bus Service.
- total: 2,872 km
- paved: 565 km
- unpaved: 2,307 km
Belize has four major asphalt-paved two-lane roads: the Hummingbird Highway, Southern Highway, Western Highway, Northern Highway. The remaining roads are unpaved, rough and in poor condition. A 9-mile stretch of the Southern Highway near Big Falls is unpaved as well. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, as in the United States.
Paved runways
- total: 5
- 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
- 914 to 1,523 m: 2
- under 914 m:2
(2005 est.)
Unpaved runways
- total: 38
- 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
- 914 to 1,523 m: 11
- under 914 m: 26
(2005 est.)
As of 2005, an estimated 43 airports and airstrips were in operation. The international airport is Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, outside of Belize City. Currently, the international airport is served by American, Continental, Delta, TACA and US Airways, along with local airlines Maya Island and Tropic. A runway expansion program set to be completed in 2007 may allow larger aircraft to land and may encourage new direct or nonstop service from Europe and Canada. Also in Belize City is the Municipal Airport.
Two airlines, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, provide frequent service around Belize. In most cases, both airlines have service from the international airport, Philip S. W. Goldson, in Ladyville 9 miles north of Belize City, and from the Belize City Municipal Airport in the city, to San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda, and to Flores in Guatemala, and one airline serves Savannah at Big Creek. There is also service from San Pedro to Sarteneja and to Corozal Town. The airlines typically fly small single-engine equipment, such as the Cessna Caravan.
Belize waterways consist of a 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft which is seasonally navigable.
Belize's coastal areas are home to several water taxi services. Water taxis run frequently from Belize City to the northern cayes-- Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and Caye Chapel. The Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association operates most water taxis to the cayes, with fast, open boats seating around 30 to 35 people leaving from the Marine Terminal near the Swing Bridge in Belize City. In Punta Gorda, Reqena's and other water taxis provide daily service to two towns in Guatemala, Livingston and Puerto Barrios. Water taxis also operate between Dangriga (twice weekly) and Placencia (weekly) to Puerto Cortes, Honduras. Portal:Nautical/Fleet/Belize
Currently, Belize does not offer any rail transport. In 1913, Stann Creek Railway operated between Dangriga and Middlesex Estate and was abandoned in 1937 leaving some railway bridges along the Hummingbird Highway.
The Template:Country data World FERISTSA Railway which would connect the United States and Mexico with Panama with a 1435mm gauge would bypass Belize unless a branch were built. [2] This line was proposed in 2007.
See also
References
- ^ New Bus Transport System , press release, Belmopan, October 17, 2008.
- ^ Reference.com/Encyclopedia/FERISTSA
External links
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.