Bus owners pause shutdown, await Cabinet decision

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Apr. 20, 2026

   The Belize Bus Association (BBA) announced last Friday, April 17, that it would hold off on its ultimatum of a bus shutdown on Monday, April 20, to await the outcome of the Ministers’ Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, April 21, when the bus owners’ situation and their demands will be discussed.

   The BBA’s statement last Friday declared that they “remain committed to serving the public and minimizing disruption.”

   BBA president Philip Jones had explained their position last Wednesday, that the 16 independent bus operators who chose not to join the National Bus Company, are experiencing severe hardship with the recent sharp rise in fuel costs as a result of the war in Iran. They requested that the government level the playing field by helping the independent operators with a fuel subsidy on par with what the National Bus Company is getting: 19 cents per mile, while private operators currently receive 14 cents per mile, and to also offer duty exemption on parts and spares.

   The Association tempered their demands after they met with the Minister of Transport Hon. Louis Zabaneh PhD last Thursday, April 16, as he promised that the matter would “be tabled at the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at which time a final decision will be made.” The BBA thanked the minister for addressing the matter at the highest level.

   When Jones communicated this compromise to BBA members on Thursday evening, they unanimously agreed to continue regular bus services on Monday April 20, and Tuesday April 21, saying “the outcome of the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday will determine the BBA’s future course of action.”    The BBA said they remain committed to work constructively with the Government to find an equitable and sustainable solution to the crisis.