From the early hours of the day, bus operators blocked strategic points, causing long lines of vehicles and forcing passengers to disembark and continue their journeys on foot, as occurred in the Tower Hill area. The action directly impacted workers, merchants, and commuters who use the Belize-Chetumal route as part of their daily activities.
In a statement, the Belize Bus Association (BBA) categorically and unequivocally rejected the fare increase, arguing that it was imposed without consulting the sector. The transportation operators described the increase as excessive and stated that it was unilaterally determined by the Ministry of Transportation using a formula that would raise the cost of the service to levels unaffordable for the population.
Furthermore, they accused the government of acting without transparency during negotiations, ignoring proposals aimed at preventing the increase, such as implementing fuel subsidies and eliminating taxes on key inputs. Faced with a lack of agreement, the concessionaires suspended operations nationwide and demanded that the price of fuel be reduced to $9.50 per gallon.
The situation generated uncertainty in the border region, given the importance of land connectivity between Belize and southern Quintana Roo, particularly for trade and the daily flow of people.
Hours later, after intense negotiations, the Belizean government and the Belizean Bus Association (BBA) reached an agreement that lifted the blockades and allowed traffic to resume in much of the country. As part of the agreement, a one-dollar increase in public transportation fares nationwide was authorized, one of the main demands of the transport operators.
Additionally, the authorities agreed to grant operators a subsidy of three dollars per gallon of fuel, which now costs $16, in order to mitigate the impact of the operating costs that triggered the sector’s discontent. Following the announcement, the association confirmed the immediate suspension of the protests, which allowed the roads to be cleared and traffic to be restored in the affected areas.
Source: quintanaroo.herladodemexico
