National Bus Company: Public-private partnership will go ahead, but operators will not be shut out, says Transport Minister

Posted: Wednesday, June 18, 2025. 6:16 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: On Tuesday, between rounds of meetings with operators, Minister of Transport Dr Louis Zabaneh met with the press to offer an update on the planned public-private partnership to be formed by next January, 2026, to be known as the National Bus Company.

Zabaneh’s family was part of the original “Big Five” national lines – Venus/Gilharry’s, Batty’s, Novelo’s, James and Z-Line from north to south, along with other smaller companies. After a series of consolidations, Novelo’s emerged as the primary player in the North and West and James in the South, but a spree of road permits since has resulted in 31 different companies running routes countrywide.

The Minister argues that in this case, there is a level of redundancy that makes it difficult to maintain costs and increase revenue. James and Westline are the primary players in the West and South, the latter having a major advantage with its own fuel depot.

At present, about half, 15, of the 31 operators are in support of the NBC including James and Westline after extensive discussions, per Dr Zabaneh, who added that this is a middle ground between total nationalization of the industry and status quo, and it would be “misleading” to suggest that a majority of operators are not in support as a public statement did last week. The minister added that both operators and the Government have had to look themselves in the mirror and admit their mistakes – excessive permits, outright corruption and payoffs and lack of maintenance of the terminals versus lack of proper equipment.

Things simply cannot go on this way, the Ministry argues; in response to suggestions that individual companies can benefit from the proposed benefits of the NBC, Dr Zabaneh said that a reorganized NBC would be scheduled for the benefit of consumers, especially those of lower income, rather than a reward for political supporters. Handing out fuel exemptions and longer road service permits to allow for upgraded buses does not remove extensive competition and safety issues on the road. It also removes instances of corrupt activity, such as selling of fuel by employees and conductors siphoning funds (James Bus Line has trialed electronic payment systems along parts of its routes in the South).

So, what’s next? Valuations of each company will take place by a committee of six auditors selected by a committee, looking at audit and cash flow methods, the results of which will be secreted and sent to the Ministry which will compile an opening balance sheet. From the final valuation, the percentage based on their individual value will be converted into shares. Operators will have the option to be bought out by fellow companies and what remains will be sold to institutional investors such as the Social Security Board, Central Bank of Belize and others.

The next stage will be investments in buses (about 150 new buses) and terminals both new and existing. Potential investors including the South Korea Ex-Im Bank have been identified.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.

The post National Bus Company: Public-private partnership will go ahead, but operators will not be shut out, says Transport Minister appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Wednesday, June 18, 2025. 6:16 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: On Tuesday, between rounds of meetings with operators, Minister of Transport Dr Louis Zabaneh met
The post National Bus Company: Public-private partnership will go ahead, but operators will not be shut out, says Transport Minister appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.