The Belize Bus Owners Association has responded to Dr Louis Zabaneh's recent appearance on Open Your Eyes, where he spoke further on the national bus company proposal. He's also been meeting with the union, the Social Security Board and, as we told you, the media. But once against, the BBA has called him out for a premature rollout and lack of proper planning. They pointed out again that the concept of the bus company is being promoted before key feasibility studies have been completed. According to the association, the project is being advanced without proper assessments and the presentation of a financial model.
However, as Zabaneh has explained, this financial model can only be completed after the valuation is done. And while the BBA says it represents 31 bus operators, Zabaneh says that 16 of them have signed onto the proposal. Still, the BBA pointed out that none of them have made any public declarations of support.
The BBA questioned how commuters or investors can be expected to support a project without clear data, detailed proposals, or a financial model and further pointed to ongoing issues within the Ministry of Transport. They argued that the poor maintenance of the terminal and weak enforcement of regulations is a hit to Zabaneh's credibility and that the relevant data is necessary before any decisions can be made.
