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The E Buses are gaining popularity in Belize City a few weeks after they were launched. But, the traditional bus owners are not happy. In a letter of objection to the Minister of Transport yesterday they said, quote, "To date, we have not come forward to place our objections on the official record due to our fear of political victimization by the City and the Government. We realize however, that if we continue to remain silent, that we will be destroyed and run out of business by our own Government.
It is important to note upfront, that we do not have an issue with normal competition. We do, however, have a major problem with unfair competition. The City (armed with free buses, free electricity, free parts etc) is now directly competing "head-to-head" with the private sector Stakeholders with investments and financial obligations.
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The reality is that the EV bus routes are the exact same routes being serviced by stakeholders. The reality is also already proving that the "totally different market fantasized by the Mayor does not exist. After only the first few weeks of operations, the prices of the EV buses have already been reduced for students.
They're demanding "Monthly publication of the collected financial and non-financial data from the number of passengers, revenues and expenses."They express their disappointment in both the UNDP and the "forcing out" of the private sector in Belize. Shame on you both!" End quote
