Transport CEO Meets With Bus Operators Amid Fare Talks

There was high-level engagement today between government and the country’s bus operators, as Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Transport, Chester Williams, sat down for several hours with executives from the Belize Bus Operators Association.  The meeting comes at a critical time for the transport sector, as operators and government continue discussions surrounding fare adjustments, operational costs, and the long-term sustainability of the industry.  Following the closed-door session, Williams described the engagement as both necessary and uncommon, noting that bringing all stakeholders together at once is not something that happens frequently.

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “We were basically here this morning, up to this afternoon working out the different rates as we go along the highways. And I must say that we are grateful for the support of the BBA in this respect. We believe that in order to reduce any friction in this process that it was best for us to do it together as opposed to we doing it and sending it to them and then there might be disagreements. So putting our heads together and our expertise was the best way to go and I believe that we achieved a lot today in making sure that we were able to complete this process. As you would know that there is the short stops, short stops will go up to like between 1 mile to 10 miles and the short stops do have a cost so with the short stop they add a slight increase to the short stop which will be like maybe 50 cents and then after the short stop then they apply the 18 cents per mile ratio and then that then gives you the amount that the commuter is going to pay based on the 18 cents per mile ratio.”

President of the association, Phillip Jones, also spoke following the meeting, addressing the issue of proposed fare adjustments.

Philip Jones, Belize Bus Association: “I must say that the commuters will see in many areas a decrease in the fares that they’re paying. So now the alignment assists in alleviating whatever was overpriced to reduce that cost and there will be certain areas you will see probably a fifty cents to a dollar increase. So basically it’s just a price adjustment and a price alignment. And where as the BBA and the operator we’re very pleased for the initiative for the cabinet, and I must thank the minister, the CEO for the tireless work, and in sitting down and so we can do the proper and make the price alignment, which was over due. So I must say, kudos to the ministry and cabinet with that.”