B.B.O.C. application for injunction on new bus schedules denied

Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh also dealt with the case by Belize Bus Owners Cooperative (B.B.O.C.), who sought an injunction by the Supreme Court against the Transport Department. The Cooperative made claims that the Department’s new bus schedules for the western route had taken away three of its peak runs, significantly cutting into its revenues. Today the two sides the CJ rejected the request by the B.B.O.C. within minutes. Chief Transport Officer, Candelaria Saldivar-Morter, says the Department is encouraged by the court’s position.

Via Phone: Candelaria Saldivar-Morter, Chief Transport Officer
“They were asking for an injunction on the department for the implementation of the new schedules that we had implemented on the sixteenth of October and what happen, the Chief Justice said that because the Department has already implemented the new schedule, the injunction was not appropriate at that time.”

Marion Ali
“Which meant what?”

Via Phone: Candelaria Saldivar-Morter
“Well, it meant that they did not take out any—the injunction was revoked—well it was not revoked because it was not approved.”

Marion Ali
“Were they advised of any other options that they have?”

Via Phone: Candelaria Saldivar-Morter
“They weren’t advised as to the specifics, but they were told that if they wanted to come back for any other reason then they could but not for an injunction.”

Marion Ali
“They’re claiming that because of the new schedules that have lost four peak runs.”

Via Phone: Candelaria Saldivar-Morter
“Mhmm.”

Marion Ali
“Is there any way that the department can accommodate them?”

Candelaria Saldivar-Morter
“What happened before we implemented the new program on the sixteenth of October, we met with the operators and gave them a proposed schedule. From that, based on their comments and concerns, we did some adjustments and adjusted the schedule and that is what we did when we came up with the final schedule. It was after consultation with the operators. As you know we cannot please all the operators all the time but we try as much as possible.”

The operators of the B.B.O.C. said they would comment as soon as they have decided what steps they will make hereafter.