Bus Permits Will Be Extended When Upgrades Begin

The Ministry of Transport is putting down its foot and urging bus operators to begin implementing upgrades to their bus lineup by the end of this year. But, the Belize Bus Association (BBA) has several concerns about moving in the direction that GOB wants them to. Minister of Transport, Rodwell Ferguson, has engaged in several discussions with the existing bus operators and has created an audience with the management of the National Bank of Belize (NBB) so they can access funding through loans. However, the banks have reportedly been hesitant to disburse loans to operators who cannot guarantee that they will be able to pay them back.

Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transportation: “I am very cognizant that most operators cannot afford a brand new bus so we had the last meeting maybe two or three weeks ago and we are figuring amongst ourselves what is the best approach. So we are saying if it’s from 2010 to 2012 or from 2005 to 2010 we are saying then that if you go to the bank now and we tell you to go find the money guarantee you will get your ten years road service permit but we don’t want to give you 10 years and then you don’t up to the commitment.”