PM Orders Halt to New Border Transport Fees Following Concerns Over Impact on Local Operators

Love News has been reliably informed that Prime Minister John Briceno has given an order to pull back on the enforcement of new transport fees at the border points.  Earlier this week, the government announced key changes to transport regulations at its border points. A key change is the significant reduction in road service charges. The fee has been lowered from $100 to $30 per vehicle axle for both foreign and Belizean registered vehicles transporting cargo commercially into Belize. It is a curious directive from the Office of the Prime Minister, considering that the reduction in fees would have been beneficial for those traversing the borders.  Our newsroom did receive several calls from persons at the western border indicating that the fees would place some groups at a disadvantage.  According to one source, further consultations will be had on this matter despite having gone through extensive discussions with the Corozal and Benque Viejo Municipal Authorities, as well as Belizean commercial truck operators, who have been advocating for changes to address the negative impact of previous regulations.