Bus Operators Warn: Transportation Services Could Collapse Very Soon

With fuel prices climbing by the day, bus operators say they’re running out of road, and patience. The Belize Bus Association is firing back after Cabinet rejected its call for government intervention to keep buses rolling. Transport Minister Zabaneh confirmed on Friday that all three proposals were turned down, urging operators to wait while government continues to monitor the situation. But today, Association President Phillip Jones told News Five waiting is no longer an option. He says many operators are at the breaking point and warns most won’t survive past this week without help. Now, the BBA is asking for a direct sit‑down with Prime Minister John Briceño, hoping urgent talks can keep public transportation moving.

 

Phillip Jones, President, Belize Bus Association

“The members are greatly disappointed due to the fact that at this present moment they are taking a colossal loss in operational costs due to the high cost of fuel. And due to that fact, I had spoken to the secretary that same Friday to have an emergency meeting with the minister of transport and he has not gotten back to me as yet. Majority of the members if not all indicated to me that even this week, a couple of days in this week may be a challenge for them to continue providing the service. I have spoken to some of the members and we are planning to write to the PM, so we can have a meeting with him and the bus operators. The operators want to meet the PM personally now. They are of the belief that the minister of transport does not want to help them in anyway because they feel they are being pressured for not join the NBC. For us to provide the service, we need some sort of immediate assistance, immediate assistance and there is a couple of ways that the government can help with that. We heard the press release from the minister that there is a no for the GST and price increase at this time. But we need something to offset these high cost we are facing with fuel.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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