City of Belmopan, Belize, September 11, 2024 – Three new electric buses have arrived in Belize as part of the E-Mobility Pilot Project, “Towards Low Carbon Transport: Piloting E-Mobility within Belize’s Public Transport System.” Funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Belize City Council (BCC), Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, and E-Governance (MPUELE), and the Department of Transport (DoT), this initiative represents a major advancement in transforming Belize’s transportation sector. It underscores our commitment to exploring innovative, eco-friendly transportation solutions and significantly reducing the country’s carbon footprint. 
 

These three new e-buses will enhance inter-district travel, advancing the project’s goal of providing more affordable, reliable, and modern energy-efficient transport. Equipped with air conditioning, seat belts, onboard Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, and a camera monitoring system, the buses are designed for the comfort and safety of 35 passengers (no standees). While wheelchair accessibility is not yet available, plans are in progress to incorporate attachable lifts to ensure inclusivity.
 

 In line with Belize's dedication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Low Emission Development Strategy (LEDS), these electric buses are anticipated to enhance air quality with zero emissions, cut down on noise pollution, and reduce maintenance expenses.

As part of the project’s efforts to explore innovative business models and financing mechanisms, the inter-district e-buses will be managed and operated by the private sector under a two-year contract. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued to select a bus operator, with the goal of having the e-buses fully operational by December 2024. Both intra-city and inter-district pilots will be assessed for their financial feasibility and potential for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Private operators interested in managing, operating, and maintaining the three electric buses for the western and northern corridors are encouraged to submit their proposals by Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 5 pm. For more details, please visit, https://bit.ly/3Zp676a.

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About the E-Mobility Pilot Project 

The E-Mobility Pilot Project: “Towards Low Carbon Transport: Piloting e-mobility within Belize’s Public Transport System” funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Belize City Council (BCC), the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, and E-Governance (MPUELE) and the Department of Transport (DoT aims to facilitate transformation within Belize's Transportation Sector through the enabling of low carbon means of transportation. With the goal of promoting universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services and moving towards low-carbon transportation, the 4.5 million-euro pilot project is piloting two intra-city buses and three inter-city buses in the country of Belize along with a national transit application, a national policy framework, a National Transport Sector Transformation Strategy and Action Plan, and Capacity Development through a national training curriculum.