Mexican transportation giant ADO begins its long distance bus runs to Cancun and Merida from Belize City tonight. Although the excursions are part of a marketing research being conducted by the company an official launch remains pending. In the meantime, the runs are being tested to ensure the quality of service that ADO will be offering to commuters that will be making the non-stop journey to both destinations north of the border. Two buses are scheduled to depart from the terminal near East Canal at eight and nine o’clock respectively. According to ADO representatives who were in Belize City today the nightly runs are not intended to compete with any of the local bus lines that operate within the northern zone.

H.E. Mario Velasquez, Mexican Ambassador

“ADO is a Mexican enterprise and they are talking with the authorities of Belize and they are considering the convenience of receiving these Mexican buses that will be coming with tourists that come to Mexico; we will share them with Belize. That is the intension.”

Jose Sanchez

“Do they intend to take passengers from Belize to Chetumal or different parts of Mexico?

H. E. Mario Velazquez

“No that is not the intention. They will come from Cancun, they will come from Merida, some of them will stop in Chetumal, but not for taking passengers to that place. They are not going to do something that others are doing now.”

Jose Sanchez

“Do they intend to build terminals for the buses in Belize?”

H. E. Mario Velazquez

“I’d say that is a possibility, but that depends on conveniences—conveniences of course of the Belizeans.”

Jose Sanchez

“Is there current experiments to see how it will work?”

H. E. Mario Velazquez

“In the next days, they will start with some rides. If they come good, they will continue. If they come good for everybody of course.”

ADO has been operating international runs to Belize transporting tourists in transit from the Mexican province of Quintana Roo to Belize and Guatemala.

Channel 5

Something not quite right here...they want us to believe they will only 'bring tourist' in but not 'take back passengers'??
A one way bus run guys, To difficult to believe this wont devastate Belize Bus runs to the border.
It would be a nice service, but be real, Its going to eliminate the need to bus to the border in Belize and the Belize Bus companys , if you've been reading the news, aren't passive push overs!
My money is on reading headlines of violence from this action and soon.

Hey - I would have used this had I known about it. A night ride to Cancun - yes. As it is I have to leave here early in the morning - waste a day in Chetumal - then night ride to Cancun.
Let's give it a try. ADO runs really clean safe buses.

Don't misunderstand me , its a great idea and I would use it also.
Just offended that they think they are fooling us into thinking the Mexican Bus isn't going to have a big impact on local buses and cabs.

Another example of how monopolies and protectionism can have a negative impact on the consumer. Sure, when there is a need to limit the services or businesses due to a limited demand in order for them to survive, then there are advantages for the consumer insuring those services and businesses are available. But when there is enough demand that encourages competition, then it is in the best interest to allow competition to dictate. There is always the argument to protect local or national business from foreign competition, but protecting them is only in the best interest when they are able and willing to provide the services needed.
And if one is to be skeptical, one could believe that limiting competition allows for greater profits that can go to those who facilitate the limiting. Of course I doubt that has ever happened in Belize.

Warren - you are right on target!

ADO Mexican Buses In Belize

Yesterday we told you that ADO buses would be coming to Belize and today we can confirm that they are here!

We saw two of the luxury busses parked at the west Collet Canal terminal today. But when we made inquiries, we found that they aren't making commercial runs yet - they're just testing out the route, assessing the roads and calculating the time of trips.

And they're going back shortly. The busses will leave tonight for Cancun and Merida and take a few test passengers. The will leave at 9:00 pm, we are told and will continue to travel at night to avoid any suggestion that they are taking runs from the local lines.

Channel 7

Here is the ADO press release issued today regarding its services to Belize.

A.D.O.

Belize, 31 August 2011.- The bus company ADO Group, explained today to the Belizean Media its new transportation services, that will benefit Belizeans.

The first one, called “The Hospital Route”, which starting point is Belize City will travel through Orange Walk, Corozal and final destination Merida, Mexico. In Merida, the Bus makes courtesy stops at the most important hospitals of the city and finish at Merida's Terminal. The return portion calls the same stops.

The second one departs from Belize City, calling Orange Walk, Corozal,

Playa del Carmen, Cancun Airport and final destination Cancun's bus terminal. The return portion calls the same stops and additionally Tulum, where ADO is promoting Belize and offering special deals to international tourists. This route will facilitate international tourist to travel to Belize.

None of the buses will stop in Chetumal in either direction.

In both cases, the departure time from Belize City will be after the last service provided by Belizean transport companies. This will not affect their normal services.

When travelling in the direction to Merida or Cancun, passengers will be allowed to board the buses in Belize City, Orange Walk or Corozal ONLY if their final destination is Merida or Cancun. From Belize City, passengers will not be allowed to descend in Orange Walk or Corozal, neither to travel between those cities.

From Merida or Cancun to Belize City, passengers will be allowed ONLY to descend at the corresponding stops of each route. Passengers will not be allowed to board in Corozal or Orange Walk in order to travel to Belize City or between those cities.

The service is designed to benefit Belizeans. We realized that it is easier for Belizeans to take the last bus from Belize to Merida, and Belize to Cancun, at 8:00 pm and 8:15 pm and arriving to the final destination at 6:15 am and 7:00 am.

This will bring great savings for Belizean families, because people who need to travel will not need to spend money on an extra night at a hotel or make their family to go and pick them up.

We are trying to make transportation to Mexico easy for Belizeans and also to provide international tourists the easiest and most comfortable way to travel to Belize. We foresee that the new routes will increase the number of tourists entering Belize and to contribute to the tourism industry.

Prices on ADO buses are US$39.50 Belize City <-> Cancun, same Mérida, US$27.50 Tulum & US$31.50 Playa. Great deals for quality transport on first-class Pullman-style buses with A/C, toilet, videos, reserved seats.

From Lan Sluder....

It looks like with the new ADO service Belize now has something it has needed for years -- an affordable, reliable, high-quality and nearly hassle-free way for tourists to come to Belize from Cancún.

Somebody needs to promote the heck out of this. US$79 round-trip CUN-BZE -- you can't beat it.

Of course, I realize that the politics of this, protecting the Belize bus lines, means that the BTB and other quasi-official tourism entities in Belize can't and won't do this. But a consortium of Belize hotel owners, each kicking in some promotional funds and using the internet, could get the word out worldwide.

One bus a day, 40 or so tourists a day, won't do it -- but just 5 buses a day is like adding a new daily international flight to Belize!