AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Bridge paid off, now where does the toll $$ go?

That comment should be in Smiles for the Day!

Isn't it strange to be just before the next election? LOL

And of course, just like everyone else, those of us up north have a lot to complain about. (again another LOL)

Actually most of the taxis are driving slower than a lot of the workers and residents.

AND then there are the crazy tourists who think it is fun to come and get stinking drunk in town and roar all the way home - though residential areas where people are sleeping. What in the name of heaven does YEAH HAW mean?
I'm toying with you.

Wonder how much money we have saved up in the kitty now

Yes, I'm wondering too!

I did not mean any disrespect in what I said simply that it would be naive to think that the town would remove the toll (by the way there are toll bridges and roads all over the world) ever. Since I have lived here on the island there has always been a charge to go across the cut (I don't think it has ever be increased either). Before the bridge this discussion would have been about the need for a police officer at the ferry to ensure that nobody cut the line in waiting to get across.

I don't think it is possible to make everyone happy and solutions breed problems.

Phil I heard the same thing.

What gets me about Belize, is the Govt seems like a Ponzi Scheme. Whenever you hear about a project, you find later there is some big $&@/ loan involved. Then you realize, the project has payments involved. In the meantime, you hear there is another loan that just magically has received funding to be paid off! Unfortunately there are some big $&@/ loans that are out there waving in the breeze because projects have been cancelled or financiers have disappeared. Wait and see...

I don't have a problem paying a small toll to go across the bridge. After all, the loan had to be repaid, the staff's salaries must be paid, and money must be set aside for future maintenance and repairs. However, I do have two big problems with it:

1) WHY $10 BZ round trip?! Isn't that what some locals make in a day? Someone on this board commented that some toll bridge on the mainland only costs 75 cents! They could lower it to $1 BZ each way and still make some money.

2) WHY do they only sell MONTHLY bridge passes (at $150 BZ a pop)? For those who live here, that is a reasonable option, but let's be honest... Most tourists and many property owners north of the bridge may only come for a week at a time, maybe two weeks. They are forced to buy a pass for much more time than they need. Town Council could easily print up weekly passes.

Town Council should make a few changes and the "consumers" would be much more satisfied, rather than having a bitter taste in their mouths about the bridge, and yet one more issue to complain about. Aren't elections coming up?

A punch ticket with no time limit is better yet.

Also, do the tickets they now use have numbers printed on them, if not, how do the track the money? How much goes missing?

I agree! Better yet.