End of an era: James Bus Line calls time on 5 decades of public transport

By Zoila Palma:  James Bus Line has informed commuters that after serving Belize since 1978, they are closing the chapter on public transportation.

“For nearly five decades, we have had the honor of providing public transportation and connecting people and communities across Belize. From early mornings to late nights, flooded bridges crossing on dories, old dirt roads to the now beautiful paved Hummingbird highway, through all the good times and challenging times, we were proud to be a part of your everyday lives,” the company said.

The company notified that James Bus Line Ltd. will no longer be providing public transportation services, all public transportation is now fully operated by National Bus Company.

“We will continue our legacy on the road by focusing exclusively on private bus charters.

While this is a difficult farewell to an important chapter, it is also the beginning of something new. We look forward to continuing to serve Belize through our private charter services and being there for your group trips, events, tours, special occasions, and transportation needs,” the company added.

The announcement follows Friday’s House of Representatives sitting where Minister of Transport Louis Zabaneh rose in the House of Representatives to present the Public Transportation Investment Bill, 2026, as Government moves ahead with its plan to restructure Belize’s public transportation system through the National Bus Company (NBC).

The Bill seeks to approve, ratify and confirm Government’s investment in NBC, including the transfer and vesting of certain public transportation assets in the company, while also providing for proposed exemptions from taxes and duties for NBC.

Zabaneh defended the reform, saying years of deterioration, the issuing of excessive permits and growing competition have left the sector unsustainable.

He said the number of operators grew from approximately seven in the 1970s and 1980s to 31 by March 2026, creating what he described as a “race to the bottom.”

Government opted for a public-private partnership rather than nationalizing the sector.

The post End of an era: James Bus Line calls time on 5 decades of public transport appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.