AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life Living in Belize Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll?

Very true. And Im sure that was the case.

I seriously doubt that would be true but we will probably never know. Regardless, its a burden (and its an unfairly & inconsistently employed one at that) to those who arent just retirees that stay on the north part of the island other than their once a week trip into town.

The real issue is one that is rampant in all of San Pedro (and other parts of Belize Im sure)....racist scam artists with "gringo pricing" always trying to earn an extra couple dollars by ripping off the people who support this country. Bingo.

I'm a retiree and hate to tell you how many trips I make across the bridge in one week. Just today it was three - oops - four - One I had to be towed.

Yes - I just wave at them as I go by - but once a month when I pay my $150 I stop and show the pass to them.

Has the loan been repaid?

What you need there is a hand pulled ferry. That way, they earn their money. Also a bigger tourist draw than a bridge. Why is everyone heading to Elberts house on Sunday?

Because hes not at home and you can BBQ in his grill ,fish off his dock, sleep in his hammock and as a bonus dig up his little coconuts trees to take back and sell in San Pedro.

We asked at the bridge specifically about the toll charged for bikes ($1 each way). We noticed local after local riding across without paying, yet we (gringos) were stopped for payment every time. We were always given correct change.

The toll takers said that only tourists are charged to ride bikes across the bridge, so once we move there permanently, we will no longer have to pay. That's great, but I disagree with anyone being charged to ride a bike across, as bikes cause nearly no damage to the road and no pollution, but I guess they figure that "rich" tourists can afford it.

It's not the only the tourist are charged, it is supposed to be that the workers are not charged. But hey - nothing is perfect here.

I Got an idea , No charge for anybody Except Those going north . The charge of 5bz or 4bz if you take a shovel full of gravel with you to fill in pot holes while you drive . The toll booth could make a profit on the gravel . It would get other people like the town , tourist's and construction involved.

100 trips per day by $2.50 us = $250 per day by 7 days =$1,750us per week by 24 busy weeks on season =$42,000us at least per year.
How much did the bridge cost to build?
The Town Board is getting some nice "tax" income.