Senate Approves Transport Bill, NBC Secures Southern Corridor

The Public Transportation Investment Bill, 2026 has passed the Senate by a vote of nine to four, clearing another major hurdle for the government’s plans to establish the National Bus Company (NBC) as a central player in Belize’s public transportation system.

The Bill was passed at its third reading on November 4th, following consideration by the Committee of the Whole Senate, which returned the legislation with amendments.

The legislation approves and ratifies the government’s investment in NBC, including the transfer of certain public transportation assets to the NBC and exemptions from taxes and duties. The concessions include a five-year period of tax and duty exemptions, covering GST, customs and excise duties.

PSU Says Transport Bill Favours NBC Over Independent Operators

The Senate also approved a separate resolution consenting to the granting of an exclusive concession to NBC to operate along the Southern Corridor. The concession covers the Southern Transport Service Area, including the highways connecting Punta Gorda, Independence, Mango Creek, Dangriga, the Coastal Road to La Democracia and Belmopan.

Union Senator Glenfield Dennison opposed the Bill alongside three other senators and questioned thefinancial implications of establishing the company and who would ultimately benefit from the investment.

“I am convinced that the formulation of NBC is only being done in the name of the people of Belize, but it is being done for special interest groups to profit. I’ll leave it at that,” Dennison said.

He also argued that the government’s investment in NBC would be only the beginning of the financial support the company would require to remain operational.