Independent bus operators threaten strike across the country 

Independent bus owners may very well have the government in a chokehold tonight, after threatening to halt operations nationwide in response to Cabinet’s refusal to approve a bus fare increase, raising the specter of major disruption for thousands of daily commuters.  The warning comes from the Belize Bus Association, which in a strongly worded release issued today says the industry has reached a breaking point due to rising fuel prices and mounting operational costs.  The Association has cautioned that unless urgent action is taken, its members may be forced to discontinue services as early as Monday, April 20, a move that could severely impact transportation across the country.  President of the BBA, Philip Jones, says the situation is no longer sustainable, pointing to repeated appeals made to government that have so far gone unanswered.

Philip Jones, Belize Bus Association: “We need to sit down at the table and try to work out one of those assistance. This is a national issue, René. No one wants to stop business. No one absolutely wants to stop business. But you cannot expect the operators them to continue losing like this. They’re on their last at this moment. We had sat down and many occasion requesting the price adjustment in fares many times. And we had officially put it in writing with asking one of the three assistance, any one that would be possible or prudent on the government’s part because let me tell you that last thing the bus operators want to do is to increase bus fares. The operators cannot continue to take this loss. So they have been reasonable and hence the reason we wrote the letter to the department of transport and the minister asking for assistance. Do you know what NBC is doing ? They’re charing more than the bus operators that haven’t joined. From Belize City to Belmopan they’re charging $7 dollars. Check James they’re charging $8 from Belize to Belmopan. Check Floralia they’re charging $9. That’s a dollar and two more than already what the private operators are charging.”

Jones says the Association had proposed several options to ease the burden on operators, including tax relief on fuel and parts, targeted subsidies, or a structured fare adjustment, but notes that none were approved.  At the same time, Jones is raising concerns about what he describes as an uneven playing field within the sector, particularly when comparing independent operators to the state-backed National Bus Company.

Philip Jones, Belize Bus Association: “They are already in trouble. You know why they are in trouble because they start to cut runs. Whenever you start to cut runs, whenever you start to lease buses, whenever you start to charter buses to take out your run from different operator, that is a bad signal and sign. Very bad. You can do your due diligence every day there are runs being cut. Every day they are being sourced from other operators to cover their runs. Every day to change oil, they need to go and out source someone to change oil. They don’t even have a functional garage to do so. So how is your economy of scale working for you? They are in worse condition than us. But bear in mind that the NBC is an arm of the government. So the operators are at the belief that they are getting some sort of subsidy or grants to continue that business because if you are saying you are making money, you don’t need to raise bus fares. But yet, every day you need to rent buses from bus company in Belize, bus company in Dangirga, bus company in PG. And you need to source your mechanic. They don’t even have a mechanic to do engine repairs, to change tires, you are telling me you need to go to somewhere to change tires, to change oil. So if you compare side by side, the NBC with the bus operators, it’s a difference between day and light.”

Love News reached out to the ministry, and we were told that a meeting with the operators will take place on Friday.  In related news, our newsroom has been informed that a set of workers attached to Westline has gone on strike.  The unconfirmed report is that these workers have not been paid on a timely manner.  We have not received an official confirmation from the ministry on this matter, but we are following the developments in this story.