Commuters across Belize can expect an increase in bus fares by Friday. This is the decision coming out of Cabinet today - where they agreed to adjust the national pricing structure.
The move comes after discussions with the Belize Bus Association (BBA), which had requested a price hike citing rising operational costs, including fuel prices. And if they didn't get it, they said they were gonna strike.
Today in Belmopan, Jaleel Roberts spoke to the Minister of Transport shortly after he came out of Cabinet - and he explained the decision making process:
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport
"Yes, Cabinet met and we discussed at length the request from the BBA. Their request was for a price adjustment to reflect a consistent price structure across the country. After discussions and we presented our analysis, the prices will be adjusted to 18 cents per mile for regular bus fares and 20 cents per mile for express bus fares. There will be a new category that we will create in law that is going to be called premium. This is a new category that will require buses to be no more, no older than seven years and of a premium quality, including free Wi-Fi. So that will have a price of 22 cents per mile. So we have had a discussion with the BBA president. He is going to be sharing that with his membership."
"And additionally, we informed him that where the prices are not exactly on the 25 cents, meaning they would be rounded to the nearest 25 cents to make it easy for both commuters and operators to charge the fees and that this would become effective on the 24th of this month."
Reporter
"Now fares will be going up for the commuter."
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport
"Well, yes, their argument has always been that the fares needed adjustment for a number of years. And so, you know, in the interest of addressing the fact that fuel prices have gone up, cabinet felt it proper. to offer them these adjustments in prices per mile."
Reporter
"So when it does implement, can we expect to see prices going from short stop, looking at a short stop, which was once $2, can we see it go to $2.25 now?"
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport
"Well, in discussing with the president, we are going to sit with them and go through all the stops throughout the entire network and make sure that we're in agreement on the fares according to the 18 cents and 20 cents. So that we know that at every village that the buses will be stopping, that there is a fare that will be clear for the commuters and for the operators."
