Gas Prices Up, Taxi Drivers Roll With The Punches

Like many Belizeans who did not get the chance to refuel before this morning, you may have noticed a significant difference in the prices. That’s because the cost of regular gasoline increased by twenty-three cents while diesel went up by thirty cents. As changes in fuel are a significant factor in the livelihoods of taxi drivers, we spoke to some today, to hear how they are feeling about this increase. Several noted that they were unaware of the increase as they had not stopped for fuel for the day. Bue Albert Robinson, a Belize City taxi driver of over forty years, said there was nothing to be said about the increase, as it was all a part of the reality in Belize.

 

Britney Gordon
“How long have you been driving a taxi, sir?

Albert Robinson, Taxi Driver, Belize City
“Well, I started back in 1977.  When I took off for about 8 years. I went to work with the Central Bank for free and the program for police for like five years and I came back here since then. So from about 1985 until now, I am operating the taxicab.”

Britney Gordon
“So how are you feeling about the recent change in gas prices last night, it went up about twenty-three cents for regular and thirty cents for diesel. How is this affecting you?”

Albert Robinson
“You know that you are telling me this. I didn’t know that it went up. Because one of the problems is that most of the time when gas prices fall, we know from the customers, because they want you to reduce your price too. They are telling you, oh, gas gone down, and you still charge the same fare,  but then when it goes up, nobody remind you,  and the thing with them, our business is not only gasoline, it’s wear and tear, plus you have to labor, you have to work, so you have to get some kind of income, from what you are making,  and there’s nothing planted out here, you got to get out here, and do what you need to do, and it’s good that I give thanks to some people that really patronize me for who I am, you know, I respect them and I give them thanks all the time because, especially out here at Albert Street, most of the taxi people, if you leave anything in your, in their vehicle, you’re sure to get it back. You know what I mean? Once they are aware that it is in there, they’re sure to get it back. So it’s safe and we do, we try to do the best we could in keeping, upkeeping the vehicle. And it takes maintenance, not only gasoline, you have to spend on everything. I think taxi operators are the people that contribute the most when it comes to taxis and things like that. Because when we make the little fare from the taxi, When we shop and buy anything, we pay taxes. We have to license ourselves. We license the vehicle, insure the vehicle.  So, where do we go from there? What do you understand from that? You know what I mean? And try to be as reasonable as possible with the fare. And try to be hospitable with the customers and give them thanks.”