City Bus Operators Say E-Buses are Fierce Competition

An attorney for three bus companies in Belize City has come forward to express concerns over the competition that the electric buses pose to their livelihood. Arthur Saldivar represents City Shuttle Limited, Lopez Bus and Lemoth and Sons. He told News Five today that his clients have been feeling an economic pinch since the e-buses hit the streets in July. We’ll hear from Saldivar in a moment, but a joint press release from the U.N.D.P., the Ministry of Public Utilities, the Belize City Council and the Department of Transport states that while the Belize City Council manages the electric buses in the city, there will be an inter-district pilot project that will be managed by the private sector. To this end, the Cabinet has authorized a two-year contract for managing and operating three additional electric buses. And to support the initiative, the United Nations Development Program (U.N.D.P.), along with the relevant ministries, will issue a Request for Proposal to identify bus operators. Saldivar says that no private entity has been offered this opportunity and they find themselves now competing for the same customers.

 

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney for City Shuttle Ltd., Lopez Runs & Lemoth and Sons

“They are suffering financially, economically due to the fact that what the mayor and the council had previously stated in respect of how these buses would have been operating.  And the rates that were going to be charged is not what is being done in reality now, whereas he had stated prior that they were going to keep their prices at a premium to attract and serve a particular clientele, which would have been outside the ambit of those being served by the present private sector operators. That has not been the case.  In fact, they have slashed prices to be in direct competition with the private sector operators.”

 

Marion Ali

The consulate said they would charge three dollars. That’s what they’re charging.

 

Arthur Saldivar

“Well, they have indicated that they are charging a dollar for students, which is the primary market that the existing private sector holders are using serve.”