After a morning that brought northern Belize to a virtual standstill, the crisis shifted fast, from blocked highways to an emergency meeting in Belmopan. Bus operators who shut down key roadways across the country forced the government’s hand, triggering direct intervention from Prime Minister John Briceño. By early afternoon, leaders of the Belize Bus Association were face to face with Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh and his technical team, racing the clock to defuse the standoff. The high level talks, joined by the Office of the Prime Minister, wrapped up just moments ago after nearly three hours behind closed doors. News Five was there as discussions ended and pressure remained high. Tonight’s lead story is from Belmopan.
Louis Zabaneh
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport
“We had a very good meeting that where we looked at two main areas: one being the subsidy that the government is offering to the Belize Bus Association that would be three dollars per gallon, okay, that’s one. And secondly, based on their proposal as well, we will be looking at an increase in fares. Now we are halfway in the work because we still have to sit down together and go through the details. So for example, with respect to the subsidy, we have to make sure that on our list we have all the bus operators with their respective road service permits listed accurately and clearly for the highway and the village. And we’re also looking at city operators as well. So that’s one half of the work that that we have ahead. And then also with the increase in fares, we want to make sure that that all the different stops along the lines that was done last week, that those will be adjusted according to the agreement that they had with the Prime Minister. So that’s for us to complete tomorrow and once that is completed, then we’d be able to make a joint formal statement about where we have come to. We are looking at fifty cents for short stops and a dollar for the longer stops of the buses. So again, that has to be matched with the particular places that the buses stop along the highway. And that’s the exercise that we are going to do in detail tomorrow.”
Shane Williams
“Is this fare adjustment something that the National Bus Company will also have to abide by?”
Dr. Louis Zabaneh
“Yes, it will be across the board. All the highway operators and also all the village operators. And as I said we’re also in discussion about the city operators as well.”
Bus Owners Sorry for Inconvenience but Happy with Results
Bus operators admit the blockade was disruptive, but they say it got results. After hours of tense talks in Belmopan, the Belize Bus Association says a deal is now on the table that brings some relief for both operators and commuters. The compromise includes a modest fare adjustment paired with government support through reduced diesel taxes. BBA President Philip Jones argues the protest wasn’t their first choice but insists it forced action, and that the outcome made the inconvenience worth it.
Philip Jones
Philip Jones, President, Belize Bus Association
“We are very pleased and the members are very satisfied due to the simple fact that like the minister rightly said, it will be a minimal increase. This decision was made based on the best interest of the general public and daily commuters. And with this right here it’ll be able to allow the operators to operate more efficiently and more responsibly due to the fact that, like I said before, this is a lifeline and the increase is very modest. It will be fifty cents in certain years, twenty-five in certain years and a dollar maximum. It will not exceed that and in terms of the subsidy, it will only be for a three month period. I hope it didn’t have to happen, but it happened. It’s unfortunate, but we need to realize that we are dealing with emotions. Everyone have their own personal feelings what they’re going through. Everyone deal with situation differently. Me personally, I just, I’m very pleased that no one was hurt and it was resolved quickly and peacefully and I’m very pleased with that result.”
Shane Williams
“While everything is not in black and white, will service resume as normal?”
Philip Jones
“My VP had the conversation with the Prime Minister and they both came to an agreement and it was resolved there and then. And I can safely say that they were both men of their word and on both side the, in gentleman terms, the agreement was kept on both sides. So it was clear and most operation resume back as normal.”
The two sides are expected to meet again tomorrow to finalize the agreement, and new rates are expected to come into effect 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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