By Aaron Humes: The Ministry of Transport has confirmed that bus fare rates published on Friday will remain unchanged despite previous requests from the Belize Bus Association (BBA) for an increase due to rising fuel costs. Instead, the government will provide subsidies to assist both national highway and village bus operators.
The decision comes after the BBA’s rejection of proposed fare increases that were set to take effect on Monday, April 27. Rather than burdening commuters with higher costs, the government will maintain the existing fare structure and implement a subsidy program to alleviate the financial impact of escalating fuel prices on bus operators.
The specifics of the subsidy will be disclosed to the public during Prime Minister John Briceño’s national address scheduled for Monday. In addition to road operators, the government is also extending its subsidy program to village bus operators, acknowledging their critical role in providing essential transport services within local communities.
The National Bus Company (NBC), the recently formed public-private partnership involving the Government and 17 bus operators, had previously said it would not raise prices while maintaining that its prices were within the agreed charge per mile, contradicting public statements from the BBA charging that they were charging higher prices in some areas compared to what operators under the BBA charge.
The post Ministry of Transport confirms no fare increase, offers subsidies for bus operators appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: The Ministry of Transport has confirmed that bus fare rates published on Friday will remain unchanged despite previous requests from the Belize Bus Association (BBA) for an increase due to rising fuel costs. Instead, the government will provide subsidies to assist both national highway and village bus operators. The decision comes after
The post Ministry of Transport confirms no fare increase, offers subsidies for bus operators appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
