Tensions are rising in the transport sector as the Belize Bus Owners Association (BBOA) pushes back against a government proposal to create a single national bus company. In a recent release, the association accused the Ministry of Transport of trying to replace long-standing, Belizean-owned operators with a government-run model. At the heart of the issue is a power struggle over who will control the future of public transportation. The BBOA sees the plan as a threat to their survival. But Transport Minister Doctor Louis Zabaneh says the focus must remain on what commuters want — better, more reliable service. He insists that current bus operators won’t be pushed out. In fact, he says they’ll have the opportunity to become shareholders in the new national company if they choose to be part of the transformation.
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport
“The public is demanding that we improve the quality of service. From the very first meeting in this proposal the atmosphere we have been encouraging is one of partnership. Improving the industry will require that the bus operators and the government realize that we are not what matters most in the industry. What matters most are the commuters, their welfare, they are the ones paying. The difference between what we are proposing now and what happened with Novelo is that all operators continue to be owners. In this case they would be owners by way of being shareholders in this public private partnership. In the case of Novelo there was only one owner. It cannot be said they are being kicked out of the industry. They have the opportunity to remain as shareholders. The second factor is this new public private partnership which will be no different than a B.E.L. a B.T.L. or a B.W.S.L., meaning a public utility which transportation will fall under as a natural monopoly to serve people who need the service across the country. In that setting we ensure that the owners will hire a board of directors, new management, we have structures in place, and we put the necessary legislation in place to protect so that there is no erosion.”
Minister of Transport, Doctor Louis Zabaneh has scheduled a follow up meeting with bus operators for next week Friday. We will continue to follow.