by Kristen Ku

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Aug. 9, 2023

Despite some delays, the E-Mobility project, which will place a few electric buses on Belize City’s streets and is being financed through a grant of approximately USD $5.3 million from the European Union and administrated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is currently underway, with the latest estimates indicating that the buses will be operating in the city by the start of 2024.

The project is a collaboration between the UNDP and Belize’s Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, and E-Governance. Although the initial rollout was projected for May 2022, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner had noted potential rescheduling, which pushed back the anticipated launch to July 2022, following which there were additional delays.

He explained that the primary focus is on enhancing maintenance capabilities, training their team, and establishing a comprehensive bus route. The pilot project will include an assessment of how the buses perform in Belize City and the fine-tuning of their schedules. Based on the outcome, the project could be expanded throughout the city.

However, with July having passed and no electric buses in sight, city residents were left with many questions.

Offering clarity, E-Transit Coordinator, Neil Hall has provided more details on the project’s dual nature.

The initiative is part of both a municipal and a broader national framework, said Hall, who noted that two electric buses have been designated for testing by CitCo to determine their endurance and applicability. “We’re going to be as impartial as possible to verify if under normal, even a bit more strenuous working conditions, electric buses are a valid investment for Belize. And we’re doing it at the cost of the EU instead of some Belize business owner trying something out to see if it works,” Hall remarked.

Passengers can expect a high level of comfort, modern features to meet the needs of the elderly and differently-abled, and state-of-the-art amenities. These buses will be air-conditioned—a rarity in city buses—and have tech features such as USB charging ports.

Additionally, to enhance the commuting experience, partnerships have been made with leading internet providers, Smart and Digicell, to guarantee on-board Wi-Fi.

One of the main reasons for the deployment of such buses, though, is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the increased use of alternative energy. “Here in Belize we have a renewable electric grid, meaning we are going green in the country of Belize, and I believe we are at either 49% or 51% renewable electricity being used in the grid as we speak today, and that number is going up,” Hall stated.

He was quick to credit the mayor’s forward-thinking approach, and his vision of a contemporary, eco-conscious Belize City, as the driving force behind the project.

The buses are scheduled to enter Belize by early December 2023, with a grand launch planned for January 2024.

Comprehensive training is thus in the process, including in-depth workshops for maintenance personnel, and specialized driving courses for prospective drivers.

The recruitment drive, Hall says, is targeting tech-savvy, adaptable individuals aged 25 and above.

Many Belizeans, however, are wondering how the city will sustain these buses, considering the state of the roads.

According to Hall, representatives from the electric bus company, Build Your Dreams (BYD), have already begun doing road testing, focusing especially on the steep declines of some of the bridges in the city and high-speed bumps, and measurements have been taken and sent in for evaluations and future altering.

To ensure the project’s success, electric vehicle expert Dr. Curtis Moodle from Trinidad and Tobago is lending his expertise, closely collaborating with the City Council.

Hall added that while the upfront investment might appear significant, the dramatic cut in fuel costs and the notably lower maintenance costs make these buses a fiscally wise choice.

“It not only improves the lives of the residents of Belize City, but it also improves Belize City’s profile that is becoming more climate conscious, more environmentally conscious, and, of course, for tourism it’s a tool because now we can boast that we are moving more into the eco-friendly public transportation route,” he said.