By Aaron Humes: The Belize Bus Association (BBA) said they didn’t want to do it. The Minister of Transport predicted it would not be done.
And, per a letter from Chief Executive Officer Chester Williams to President of the Belize Bus Association Philip Jones, the answer from Cabinet is a no, and it is final: “Cabinet is unable to accede to the additional financial burden an increase in bus fare will cause to commuters.”
The Association also asked for an exemption from General Sales Tax (GST) on purchases of fuel, tires and parts and government-funded subsidies in addition to a rate hike.
Williams responded on their behalf: “Cabinet respectfully requests that your membership exercise some patience as we await to see how the global world trend in fuel cost will go. It is anticipated that this trend may not continue much longer and will result in the stabilization and reduction in the acquisition of fuel.” He added that if Cabinet believes the situation will continue for an extended period, they are prepared to revisit the requests for further consideration.
Fares are charged on a set per mile basis. The Association argued that it wants a level playing field with the creation of the National Bus Company (NBC), which buys bulk fuel and other necessities and is able to keep costs down while it awaits the purchase of a full electric fleet starting in September.
The post Cabinet refuses bus fare increase to Bus Association members; urges patience on fuel costs appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: The Belize Bus Association (BBA) said they didn’t want to do it. The Minister of Transport predicted it would not be done. And, per a letter from Chief Executive Officer Chester Williams to President of the Belize Bus Association Philip Jones, the answer from Cabinet is a no, and it is final:
The post Cabinet refuses bus fare increase to Bus Association members; urges patience on fuel costs appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.