Transport Department May Extend Bus Upgrade Deadline Amid Pushback from Operators

The deadline for bus owners to have half their fleet upgraded is fast approaching, but once again, it seems the Department of Transport may extend the deadline. In January 2023, the government gave operators a year to upgrade their buses to more modern models to improve the experience of commuters and safety standards. However, due to heavy pushback from the Belize Bus Owners Association, a compromise was struck that required operators to have 50% upgraded by last December and the entire fleet by December this year. But it seems that the department may move the goalpost a bit further once again. Today, Deputy Chief Transport Officer Peter Williams was asked about the situation and the need for improved safety measures in the public transport sector. 

Peter Williams, Deputy Chief Transport Officer, DOT: “With the advent of the ministry’s directive to improve the quality of buses, as you know, we have a public transportation bus upgrade program that’s happening right now. We have already begun to see the compliance of most of the major operators who have already begun to bring in newer model buses. And so the transport board is currently in the process of reviewing the road service permit applications for us to begin to reschedule the current operation of buses. And so you’re looking at two things. You’re looking at the rescheduling exercise that is taking place, but also the importing of newer model buses and more buses. So we want to phase out the older buses, introduce the newer model buses, which will kosher with the new schedule that buses will be operating on. So we’re hoping that this is going to help to alleviate some of the issues that commuters have been facing in terms of the comfort or rideability of the buses, but also in terms of the reliability of the buses that we have serving our public.”

Reporter: Will that deadline be extended once again? 

Peter Williams, Deputy Chief Transport Officer, DOT: “So currently, we’re looking at perhaps a six months extension, because we recognize the enthusiasm from the bus operators and the commitment from these bus operators to be able to meet us, right, to meet the requests or the demands of the department and the ministry. And so with that in mind, we want to work with operators. We’re not here to fight against operators. And so realizing that they’re working with us, it’s likely, it’s likely, they’re not set in stone at this time, but it’s likely that the ministry is going to have an extension be granted to them through the transport board.”

Williams says the department will make an official announcement on the situation soon.