PSU Says Transport Bill Favours NBC Over Independent Operators
The Public Service Union (PSU) wants changes to the proposed Public Transportation Investment Bill, 2026, arguing that it fails to adequately protect affected workers and gives the National Bus Company (NBC) an advantage over independent bus operators.
In a release dated October 28, the union said it supports modernising public transportation but has serious concerns about how the legislation was developed and its provisions for workers and operators. The Bill is scheduled for consideration at a special sitting of the Senate today, October 29.
PSU President Dean Flowers said the union had been assured it would be consulted but was never formally given the draft legislation to review.
“We have never gotten to see the legislation formally from the ministry,” Flowers said. “The bill went to the House without any input from us, and now it’s before the Senate.”
The union is concerned about what will happen to workers’ pensions and other benefits if they accept employment with the NBC. Section 6 states that their rights and benefits will continue, but also provides that they will cease to be government employees.
“The terms and conditions that exist in the public service currently are not the terms and conditions that the employees under the National Bus Company enjoy,” Flowers said.
The PSU is also questioning the Bill’s proposed tax concessions for the NBC. Under Section 5, the company would receive exemptions from GST, customs duties, excise duties and related charges on buses, spare parts, tyres, equipment and construction for five years.
Flowers said other licensed operators, including those serving Belize City and northern Belize, should receive the same concessions if the Government wants to improve public transportation across the country.
“You have to create an enabling environment that allows all bus operators to be able to do that,” Flowers said.
The union also wants greater transparency over the use of public bus terminals, including disclosure of any lease arrangements and the revenue generated by the facilities. It wants the Bill to explicitly protect the terminals and the land they occupy from being transferred to the NBC.
The PSU wants the Government and Senate to address its concerns, including by providing the information required under Section 45 of the Labour Act, protecting workers’ pension entitlements and ensuring equal treatment for all licensed bus operators.