Mayor: Electric Buses Will Benefit Consumers

Bernard Wagner

With one charging station at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza and plans to establish charging stations elsewhere in downtown Belize City, the electric bus transit system is moving ahead. The plan at this time is for the bus route to begin at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. But, how big of a deal will it be for current city transport providers when the Belize City Council enters the space? Mayor Wagner says it will be fair competition.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City Council

“We have had preliminary discussions and we are not driving anyone out of making their ends. It will be fair competition. It will be a situation where the consumer benefits, the consumer will have choice to choose, to say I want to ride on this cashless system, AC, friendly to our disabled and handicap, friendly to our elderly. They will not have to pay anything. It will be friendly to our nurses and doctors who work shifts late in the night. Our buses will run late up until midnight. It is electric buses so we do not have that fuel cost.”

Marleni Cuellar

“So you are saying that the existing city transport providers have no qualms with this?”

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City Council

“I am not saying they don’t have any issue, but it will be fair competition. At the end of the day the residents or the consumer chooses with transport is reliable, which is efficient, and which is clean air. That is the important thing here.”