New Year, (some) new buses, says Minister of Transport

By Aaron Humes: The Ministry of Transport is finally seeing some movement in its plans to upgrade Belize’s bus industry, according to Minister Rodwell Ferguson.

As of New Year’s Day, the “gradual approach” will see new styles of buses on the highways.

Ferguson reported that as of today, Thursday, “a lot of operators are negotiating with a bus owner that has about 15 buses parked there for the last year. And the operators recognize that they must upgrade. As a matter of fact, our transportation study was recently completed, last week, and the consultant is telling them that they must upgrade, so they are prepared and they are fully onboard to upgrade.”

Ferguson cited that a few operators are already active: “Yes, I’ve seen Tillett’s from Orange Walk bring in at least two or three already. Then Sergio Chuc will bring in another three or so by January first and the others are now negotiating with this operator right here in Belize.”

And as for the financing, Ferguson explained, “Initially we are hoping that in the end we can come and say, government is going to subsidize or contribute.” He cited the example of South Korea, a country with a far more substantial population than Belize, but which we can learn from in terms of improving our transportation industry, such that we have sent people to study there.

As for the new kid in town, Floralia Bus Line, their application for runs in the North remains before the Transport Board, and Ferguson says he will not dare interfere: “There is a transport board and I don’t dictate to them, they decide. I know right now it’s before the board and that will be the final result. Whatever the result is, it’s to benefit Belizean people.”

Chuc’s Westline company, which services 22 daily runs between Belize City and Benque Viejo round trip with 30 buses, has introduced one upgraded bus and plans to introduce two more at the start of 2023.

As he explained, “It’s the same school-bus type body, but with individual bucket seats and air-conditioned; that’s what the Ministry required and they are not brand-new buses, they are 2013 models, I believe those are the new models in that type of bus that are in the country,” adding that the timeline to phase out the old buses is for two years, which is reasonable in the circumstances. The majority of buses countrywide date back to the late 1990s at present.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2022, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.