Belmopan, April 24, 2026.
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 rate 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 27, 2026.
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