European Union/UNDP E-mobility project reveals plans for inter-district bus runs to be managed by private sector

Published by [email protected] at August 15, 2024

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Posted: Thursday, August 15, 2024. 11:11 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: In contrast to the Belize City Council managing the European Union (EU)-funded E-mobility project piloting buses using electric charging, the inter-district pilot will be managed and operated by the private sector, it has been revealed.

A statement issued on Thursday announced that “the Cabinet has authorized the use of a two-year contract for managing and operating three additional electric buses. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Ministries of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, E-Governance, and Youth, Sports, and Transport, will soon issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify bus operators. While the buses will remain the property of the UNDP, the primary goal is to assess their performance under the management of the private sector.”

The project proposes “focus on evaluating the financial feasibility of private sector management, developing a comprehensive business case, and outlining key commercial terms, ultimately aiming to facilitate a potential Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors…” These initiatives will be further supported by the development of implementation frameworks for deploying and expanding electric vehicles (EVs), crafting a comprehensive transport strategy, and establishing viable business models. All efforts will be carried out inclusively and collaboratively, with substantial input from financing entities, private sector stakeholders (including fleet managers), government representatives, and energy providers.

UNDP, in partnership with the European Union, the Belize City Council, the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-Governance (MPUELE), and the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Transport remains committed to supporting ongoing engagement with both the public and private sector as well as our key stakeholders.

Minister of Transport Rodwell Ferguson has previously estimated that the services would be active by September and run on both the George Price and Philip Goldson Highways.

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