Belize Bus Association Demands Audit Before Senate Vote

Belize’s public transportation system may be headed for its biggest overhaul in decades, but bus operators are urging lawmakers to pump the brakes. The Belize Bus Association wants senators to delay a vote on the Public Transportation Investment Bill 2026. The association says too many questions remain unanswered about the finances, operations and long-term viability of the National Bus Company. It is calling for independent audits of the company’s finances, fleet and business plan before the legislation moves forward. The association also wants government to provide the same tax and duty concessions to every qualified operator, not only the National Bus Company. It is now requesting a private meeting with senators before they cast their votes. Government, however, says commuters have waited long enough for meaningful reform. Chester Williams, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Transport, says decades of unreliable service have left passengers dealing with aging buses, overcrowding and frequent breakdowns. He argues that the National Bus Company was created as a public-private partnership to improve the system, not to force existing operators off the road. The plan includes twenty-four electric buses and solar-powered charging stations, secured with support from Taiwan. Government says those investments should help deliver safer, more reliable and more affordable transportation. The Bus Association says senators must decide whether to advance the reforms or first ensure the National Bus Company is fair, transparent and financially sustainable.

 

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