Bus Operators Seek Parity, Not Immediate Hike

After meeting with the Ministry of Transport on Thursday, the Belize Bus Association says talks were largely favorable, with operators backing away from any immediate fare increase. The association instead appealed for administrative approval to adjust its fares to what the National Bus Company has in place. The association also agreed to give Cabinet time to review the matter and hold off on its plan to halt operations on Monday. The association did warn that bus services could shut down mid week if no solution is reached during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

 

Philip Jones, President, Belize Bus Association

“I believe it was favorable, because being realistic we are not asking for a price increase. So I believe they will be able to assist us with that. We didn’t stress the issue with the GST and the subsidy. The operators said, we know we are in some tough times and we don’t want to pass that on our commuters because that will be extremely tough for them. We said, the NBC charges this which is the nineteen cents, and that does not need Cabinet approval. You just need to write and give us permission to say you can charge the same thing as NBC which is nineteen cents and we can abandon the fourteen cents. The minister had asked us that Cabinet had asked for us to hold off our position for Monday and let them see what they can arrange on Tuesday when Cabinet meet. So I have spoken to the members and they said, in good faith we will allow for Cabinet to meet and see what will be that response on Tuesday. The member have shared that they have been reasonable so far with the request from the minister and his position. But, they have also said that if it is not a favorable response, they will shut down operations on Wednesday, they wont continue to provide the service.”

 

NBC at Disadvantage, Says Bus Association President

 

As the future of the public bus system remains under the microscope, we turned to a veteran voice in the industry for perspective. Belize Bus Association President Philip Jones says the National Bus Company faces challenges that go far beyond fuel prices and fares. Drawing on years of experience, Jones argues that NBC’s own operational structure puts it at a disadvantage compared to smaller private operators, calling it top heavy and questioning how the company manages to keep up with its day to day costs.

 

Philip Jones, President, Belize Bus Association

“I see they have their challenges and to me the challenges they are facing are a little bit more greater than us, because when you speak of economy of scale, if you compare the NBC with the small operator, the small operator does not have a management team with high salaries involved, their own drivers, conductors, washman, clean man. So their expense is very minimal compared to NBC. They don’t source buses or servicing, they do them themselves, because if they have any problems with brakes or lining they will do it themselves instead of outsourcing their servicing. Compared to a company that has about six or seven managers and operational staff and personnel. So we find that they are having far more challenges than they are facing at this time. So we feel like they are getting some sort of assistance or some stream of income because there is no way they are operating more efficient than the regular small man that operates at this time, that does it all.”

 

We will continue to follow the divide between the BBA and NBC and closely monitor the outcome of Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

 

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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