Transport Crisis Averted but Who’s Looking Out for Commuters?

After two days of intense, closed door talks, the government and bus operators still have not finalized a deal; therefore, no new rates will go into effect on Wednesday. But while the increase is being delayed for at least one day and the details of the agreement are not fully worked out, we do know for sure that it’s everyday Belizeans who will end up paying the real price. The agreement gives bus operators what they’ve been pushing for: a government funded diesel subsidy and higher fares. But while the deal offers relief to operators, it raises tough questions about affordability for commuters and fairness for taxpayers now helping to foot the bill. Those concerns grow louder when you consider this: the government itself has a stake in the National Bus Company, which also stands to benefit from the fare increase. That overlap has sparked debate about conflict of interest and whether commuters truly had a voice at the table. With bus fares going up and public funds going out, we put the hard questions directly to Minister of Transport Dr. Louis Zabaneh, who, critics say, must explain not just the deal, but who it really serves.

 

Shane Williams

“Now while we had representation from the bus owners’ association and from the government, we know that in both cases, subsidies are paid for by taxpayers. who was in the meeting representing taxpayers, because ultimately by raising the fares and the subsidy, taxpayers will pay.”

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport

“Well ultimately we are all Belizean taxpayers here. Myself as minister I am working in the government. The government is for the people. And that means that we have always been very careful in this analysis because precisely as you said, there’s an impact on the rest of Belize. So I believe that the members of the BBA are also cognizant of that, and that is where we’ve come to this compromise position. I believe that where we are now that all operators would be able to function properly and we can focus back again on what’s most important, the welfare of our commuters, that they move from point A to point B safely, that we are offering good services on time and that we can work together to continue to improve the sector. I think we all have that goal together and we can put this behind us and look for better days ahead for our commuters and for the bus sector generally.”

 

The National Bus Company will also be increasing rates by fifty cents for short runs and one dollar and long runs. The two sides will resume meeting on Wednesday.

 

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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