AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Travel Sudden Surge of Prices on Water Taxis

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Look around. It's everywhere.

wow - that's stuff to think about. speaking only from the tourist side, i'm sorta hoping the local water taxis don't follow suit. it could stand to hurt some businesses north and far north - the ones that get one-day-visitors. think about how much it already is for a family of 4 on a budget just to *GET* to points north of JE from town now, and how much if it goes up $5-10 pp. of course i expect things to go up, that's how it is everywhere. lotsa people might still go, but then maybe not, and spend it on something else - like dinner for 4. just sayin'...

Water Taxi Associations work together to keep industry afloat

It's been a while since we heard about the battle between Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association and the new kid on the block, the San Pedro Express. Initially questions were raised about whether or not there were enough customers for the industry to sustain the two groups. The first blow was felt when San Pedro Express had to relocate to its new home at the Brown Sugar. Both groups took public relations hits with mini protests involving land taxis, all along a narrow stretch along North Front Street. Today News Five spoke to the principals of San Pedro Express but this time there is no battle. According to the Marin brothers, both organizations are working together to avoid races on the sea and to set prices for runs and will not increase the fares for Easter travel. According to Joshua Marin, they are setting the example for other competing organizations to follow.

Joshua Marin, Spokesperson, San Pedro Express

"When we started the business the price was never intended to be dropped. Unfortunately, competition brings that with any business. So the price started to go down when the competition began."

Jose Sanchez

"What prices are they at now, round trip and one way?"

Joshua Marin

"Right now it's at thirty and twenty. The original prices that it was when we started the business was a year and a half ago. Same price, it didn't go up, it just went back to the original price we started with."

Jose Sanchez

"What is the reason now then to going back to the price, some people think you're gouging, taking a lot more?"

Kein Marin, Operations Manager, San Pedro Express

"Well competition like he said brought it mixed up. Yes we were competing at a less price, you know fuel will be going up. We're trying to work it out so that way we can sustain our business."

Jose Sanchez

"So you're working along with Caye Caulker Water Taxi on the prices and the taxi runs?"

Kein Marin

"The thing is that both companies saw that yes we can handle it and move everybody. But without profits turning over, it is very difficult to sustain and maintain our vessels to the standards we should. Hence the reason why the prices had to go up, automatically any business. If you have a bus, the tire

blows, you have to fix it. The same with a bus, if the prop breaks, or an engine breaks you have to fix it. What you have to do is to work along with them. It is very difficult and you barely find Belizeans working together to achieve one common goal. I think it's a bold step for both companies to step up and say don't worry about competition, let's work together to provide a better service.

The schedule remains the same. I go nine he goes ten thirty and so forth. The thing is now, all the runs still remain but we share it…instead of I do eight and he does eight…instead of racing, safer for everybody."

http://edition.channel5belize.com/?p=30480

Sorry, but that whole article is total BS!!! I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday.....

The last few times I've travelled to CC or BzC by boat it's been packed, every trip, both directions. I didn't count the passengers but it was a very large number. I have an idea what it costs to operate a boat commercially around here having done it for several years, and I would guess that even allowing a generous amount for repairs & renewals they are making a bundle. We'll probably see the new Rangers etc the owners have at SP and the new SUVs they have in BzC before long. I'm with Shuffles - do they really think they can fool us that much?

Yes..The article is very insulting to any one with intelligence..we are hoping the old time boat captains here will save the children...shame on these guys...perhaps the tourist can pay more...but without the children being able to be educated..well they will soon be thieving your motors and robbing your customers..what ignorance....would be great if the Government would subsidize..ha..ha..

Oh I am hot and mad..lots of locals go grocery shopping in the city..lots of our elders go to doctors..most people walk..taxis are expensive. I walk..I dont need to walk another 1/2 mile to the San Pedro Express mabe 5 times with my groceries...I dont need to have my bike at the Caye Caulker Water Taxi and then have to arrive back on the express and then pay a Taxi to take me back to my bike,......$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
My usual twice a month trip to the city..transportation only was $25...bze is now $70...\
The fares quoted are outdated and higher now.....

One more thing,,,Are the water taxis not insured...are we all riding on boats with no insurance???? Accidents have happened in the past bags get lost,,,,I was on a boat last week racing with another boat...it was a bit scary..took us 35 minutes to get to the city,15 minutes early,I would like to know who carrys the insurance..l....

How much was the Water Taxi before San Pedro Express were on the scene. Hasn't it just gone back to that level?

In three weeks the fare from Belize City to Caye Caulker and reverse went from $25 bze to $40.bze and next to $50.bze both water taxis charging same...school kid used to pay $10bze now $30.bze..so they are out of luck on an education..fares quoted are round trip..