Legal Framework for New National Bus Company Takes Shape

For the past several weeks, we’ve been closely following the development of the National Bus Company (NBC), a major initiative by the Ministry of Transportation aimed at modernizing Belize’s public transit system. From initial consultations to the announcement of the advisory board last week, momentum continues to build and now we’re learning more about the legal framework that will support the company’s operations. CEO Chester Williams provided further insight into what the future of the NBC will look like.

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “Certainly a national bus company will have the protection of legislation. Just as we have other PPPs,  we have the National  Bus Company,  we have  the deep water port in Southern Belize, we have BTL, BEL, those are entities protected by legislation and so the National Bus Company when it comes on stream, will also have that legislative backactive. What does that mean? It gives the company greater protection. One will recall the Novelos monopoly when it came there was no legislation there to protect that and so you find that very quickly it went into bankruptcy and then it is gone. Now, some may look at it some say, OK if you’re going to  bring in new buses, better quality buses, then that will require an increase in bus fares that the commuters will have to pay.  And the minister has been very, very adamant in saying that whatever we do, there should be no increase of fares. There are going to be other things that should be able to increase revenue that is going to offset any increase.”

Williams explained that while the company will be protected by specific legislation, this does not signal a nationalization of the industry. Instead, the NBC is being positioned as a central part of a reformed system that prioritizes reliability, dignity, and structure. Williams was clear that private companies that choose not to join the NBC will still be allowed to operate, but under new conditions. These operators will be required to upgrade their fleets and meet elevated standards to continue serving the public.

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “We’re not nationalizing and we’re not monopolizing. So those two words are out of the question. Minister has made it clear that while the government could have moved a very strong arm and say we’re going to nationalize, that is not the intention and that’s not what is going to be done. What is going to be done is a consolidation and if there are any person who is a current bus owner do not wish to be a part of that consolidation they can continue to operate on their own alongside the National Bus Company. But there’s a critical but there, they  must upgrade the standard of buses that they’re using. It cannot be that you continue to operate with the same old buses that creates problems to our commuters on our highways. So we’re going to be more strict in the enforcement of the conditions of the road service permit. Because currently, if we were to be extremely strict with the condition of the road service permit, 90 % of our buses would be off the road because they are not in compliance. And the truth be told, some of them just cannot comply. But I believe that we have been too lenient in allowing them to content operate in such a way.”

Further legislative details and implementation timelines are expected in the coming weeks.