Belize City has taken a major leap forward in urban transportation with the official launch of eRide, the country’s first digital taxi service. The eco-friendly, app-based platform allows users to book, track, and pay for rides through their smartphones — offering convenience, reliability, and sustainability in one package.
Mayor Bernard Wagner described the launch as part of a broader vision for cleaner, modern transport in the city. “We have a broad vision of really driving modern transportation within the scope of our city,” Wagner said. “This project really put in place an additional component needed to realise our ambition of a cleaner, less polluted city — less noise pollution, fewer emissions in the air.”
The new e-taxis operate similarly to global ride-hailing apps like Uber. Users can book rides, track drivers in real time, and communicate directly through the app. “You use this system to really communicate with the driver,” Wagner explained. “You would book your ride, pay, and enjoy the clean ride.”
Fares start at approximately eight dollars per 1.3 kilometres. There are currently four electric taxis in service. Among the drivers is Abigail Westby, the first female eRide driver. “This is a great opportunity I’ve been waiting for for a long time,” Westby said. “My mother, who has been a taxi driver for over eleven years, inspired me to venture into this.”
Funded through a loan secured earlier this year — now fully repaid — the project hasn’t been without controversy. Traditional taxi drivers have expressed concern over competition. Wagner addressed this: “We don’t want to undersell our taximen… It’s not something we see long-term. We want this to be driven by the private sector.”