UDP warns National Bus Company could squeeze independent operators out of industry

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Opposition is accusing the Government of creating an uneven playing field in Belize’s public transportation sector by providing the National Bus Company with state assets, tax concessions and route advantages not available to independent operators.

During Wednesday’s UDP briefing, party officials called for disclosure of the National Bus Company’s ownership structure, its public-private partnership agreement, assets and liabilities, tax exemptions and the value of government property being transferred to the company.

The recently introduced Public Transportation Investment Bill seeks to formalize Government’s investment in the company, including the transfer of transportation assets such as terminals and the granting of certain tax and duty exemptions. Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh says NBC now covers the entire southern corridor and approximately 83% of the western corridor.

The UDP said it supports safer and more modern buses but objects to the use of public resources to create what it describes as an advantaged competitor against private Belizean bus owners.

The dispute comes as the Belize Bus Association continues to demand reinstatement of a diesel subsidy that expired on August 4. Operators have extended their threatened service shutdown until September 1 while awaiting a Cabinet decision.

The post UDP warns National Bus Company could squeeze independent operators out of industry appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.