Min. Constitution & Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs & Transportation

Charging Ahead: Belize’s Electric Bus Pilot Delivers Real Results for Commuters, the Economy, and the Environment

Electric Buses Deliver as Belize Reviews Pilot Success Three years after launching an ambitious push into electric public transport, Belize is now getting its first real report card, and the results are turning h...

.
Help us keep public transportation fair, safe, and accountable by reporting overcharging and protecting the rights of commuters across Belize.

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Dr. Louis Zabaneh, held a productive meeting today with the Belize Bus Owners Cooperative (BBOC) at the Ministry’s Conference Room.

The discussion focused on key operational matters including terminal use, ticketing policies, and bus scheduling, with a shared commitment to improving service delivery and ensuring a more efficient, reliable experience for commuters.

The Ministry remains committed to continued dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders in strengthening Belize’s public transportation system.

The Ministry of Transportation hereby informs the general public that the official revised approved bus fares, which represent the maximum allowable rates, will become effective on May 4, 2026.

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Transportation Shares Approved 2026 National Highway Maximum Bus Fare Rates
April 24, 2026

Belmopan, Belize — The Ministry of Transportation hereby shares the approved 2026 National Highway bus fare rates. The Ministry emphasizes that these rates represent maximum allowable fares, providing a structured ceiling within which operators may set their pricing. Operators may charge lower rates than prescribed, but not higher. The rates represent the best compromise possible with operators in an attempt to balance operator interest and commuters’ welfare.

The new rate structure incorporates the $0.18 per mile for regular runs and $0.20 per mile for Express runs as approved by Cabinet with the aim of allowing highway operators to adjust previous fares that may fall below these rates. Previous rates that were higher than these rates other than the short drop rates have been kept. The new rate structure keeps the previous short drop rates used within and adjacent to municipalities as they apply to the national highway routes. Short drop rates are higher per mile rates to compensate operators for making many short stops in municipalities that lead to higher operating costs. Short drop rates adjustments were not a part of the negotiations with operators given that the focus at this time has been on national highway bus rates. The Ministry remains open to discussing short drop rates (City rates) and village run rates with village and city operators.

The Ministry hereby takes this opportunity to thank the operators for their contributions to developing these rates. The Ministry also thanks Cabinet for its deliberations to arrive at the best possible solution considering the needs of both the operators and commuters, and for its continued support for the modernization of the national highway bus sector.

This updated rate structure comes into effect on Monday April 27th, 2026.
END.