Bus Madness! Another plea to the Ministry of Transport: My ride on an overcrowded bus with a bent wheel

Posted: Saturday, October 25, 2025. 1:37 pm CST.

“Before it gets better, it will get worse.” — Buses that are not roadworthy but remain on the road are a recipe for disaster and possible mass casualties. Tonight, our bus was driving with a bent wheel!

By Anita Nembhard: Maybe I missed the safety protocols for bus runs in my country, but once again I am crying out for the Ministry of Transportation to intervene.

At the Belize Bus Terminal—also known as Novelo’s Bus Terminal—there is absolutely no law and order within management.

I say this with regret, knowing there are loyal and hardworking employees at the terminal. Unfortunately, they can only do so much with the little they’ve been given—sadly, that’s next to nothing.

Tonight, October 24—the night of my daughter’s 12th birthday—I never imagined this “bus madness” would spill into what was supposed to be a beautiful Friday. Everything was going perfectly until I arrived at the terminal.

The first incident happened when police had to be called in to remove the many standees from the bus.

My question to those in authority is this: if the law states there should be no standees, then why isn’t there a proper system in place to accommodate commuters? Passengers deserve assurance that if they are asked to get off a bus that is overcrowded, they won’t be left stranded or uncertain about when—or if—they’ll make it home.

There will always be resistance on crowded buses because, as the saying goes, “Everybody wants to make it home.” No one wants to get off a full bus and take a gamble waiting for another one that may never arrive—or that may come with the same or worse problems.

It appeared tonight that after the incident at the terminal, the Hattieville Police checkpoint was informed of our bus heading their way—overloaded with standees. About 15 miles into our journey, our bus was pulled over at the Mile 15 checkpoint.

The bus was a Mahogany Heights run, and my ride was supposed to end in Hattieville—usually a 25 to 35-minute trip. But tonight it took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach my destination due to the delay at the terminal and another 20-minute detention at the checkpoint.

According to the driver, they were stopped because of the standees and because of the earlier incident at the terminal.

I have so many concerns. When will proper safety protocols finally be enforced so that traveling in this country doesn’t feel like a daily nightmare—a traumatizing experience filled with uncertainty about whether we’ll make it home safely to our loved ones?

There are far too many buses being allowed to operate that are not roadworthy. When will that issue be addressed seriously and permanently—not just patched with “band-aid” fixes?

When will bus owners be held accountable for ensuring their vehicles are in proper condition—mechanically sound and safe for travel? How can a bus with a bent wheel be cleared for a run to Mahogany Heights? What do these operators think will happen if a vehicle in that condition speeds along the highway trying to maintain its schedule—as our bus did tonight?

I’m tired of being frightened on buses. I’m tired of feeling afraid, unsafe, panicked, and constantly worried for my own safety and that of my family. I’m tired of facing the same problems week after week. When will the authorities truly fix this?

Just last Thursday, I had to get off another Mahogany Heights bus because it was making strange noises and clearly struggling mechanically. I honestly believed it wouldn’t make it to Hattieville. I got off at Mile 8 and waited for a friend to pick me up.

Once again, the bus driver and conductor ignored passengers’ concerns, offering no explanation or reassurance. We were just left to fend for ourselves—forced to “ride the waves” until we no longer have to depend on the bus system.

But whether I ride once in a while or twice a day, that’s no excuse for the authorities not to make public transport safe and reliable.

Tonight, our bus traveled with multiple red flags and road hazards. The fact that it was filled beyond capacity was already a recipe for disaster.

Two weeks ago, I shared my frightening experience on a Benque bus. The following day, a representative from the Ministry of Transportation said, “We hear your cry—the pregnant woman who was trampled trying to board the bus; we hear your cry, Hattieville commuter.” But since then, what has actually been done beyond hearing our cries?

Tonight, I watched a young pregnant mother with her son sitting in fear, and I could see my own fears reflected in her eyes.

 

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The post Bus Madness! Another plea to the Ministry of Transport: My ride on an overcrowded bus with a bent wheel appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Saturday, October 25, 2025. 1:37 pm CST. “Before it gets better, it will get worse.” — Buses that are not roadworthy but remain on the
The post Bus Madness! Another plea to the Ministry of Transport: My ride on an overcrowded bus with a bent wheel appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.