Belize’s Big Bus Plan Under Fire: Vision Without a Viable Roadmap?

The Belize Bus Owners Association is raising a red flag over the government’s push for a new National Bus Company. They say the idea sounds great—modern buses, digital tickets, upgraded terminals, but there’s one big problem: there’s no plan to back it up. In a bold statement, the BBA, which represents thirty-one licensed bus operators, accused the Ministry of Transport of selling a dream without showing the math. No feasibility study. No financial model. No clear idea of how much it will cost, or who will pay for it. The Ministry claims that sixteen operators are already on board. But the BBA says none of them have seen the details, like what kind of buses will be used, how fares will be set, or what kind of return investors can expect. And here’s where it gets even more interesting: the government says the plan will work thanks to “economies of scale.” But the BBA points out that Belize has fewer than three hundred buses, compared to over eight thousand in Mexico’s ADO system, which still charges higher fares. Bus operators say they’re not against improving public transport. But they say it must be done right—with real data, real planning, and real transparency. So, here’s the question: Is the government rushing to sell a vision before doing the homework? And if so, who ends up paying the price—commuters, investors, or both?