However, government may face more industrial action
Thomas Shaw
But there is dissention within the membership of the Belizean Bus Association. On Sunday a meeting was held to discuss bus runs in the northern zone. Those discussions did not end favorably as several of the northern operators broke away from the collective concerns of the association. BBA president, Thomas Shaw has gone on record to say that the agreement struck between the BBOC and the Ministry of Transport does not meet the needs of other bus operators and as such is not satisfactory. He further states that if an amicable solution was not met during today’s meeting that the government can look forward to more industrial action.
Voice of: Thomas Shaw, President, Belize Bus Owners Association
“Basically as the president that’s not really satisfactory to me but as I said the chairman of the BBOC was part of that negotiating team and they were the biggest operator that actually got affected and these guys were in limbo and as I said all they had to do was to stick to the game plan and to the seven points that I actually gave the P.M. But he made a compromise and more than likely as the chairman of the BBOC he stated [that] that’s what he wanted and he was willing to go along with that. So based on that that’s where we’re going at this moment. If the outcome of today’s meeting does not really meet the requirements from the operators from the BBA then more than likely they can look out to see some more reactions as well because as I said we weren’t, this association wasn’t just representing BBOC. We were representing all our members countrywide such as north, south, east and west and as I explained to the minister this morning, you know, not because BBOC accepts what they are giving them that doesn’t mean to say that there are other operators that are actually satisfied with what they are going to get. At the end of the day BBOC is satisfied with what they’re getting but I have other operators out there as well that have interests and their interest and investments need to be protected.”
The Ministry of Transport issued a press release earlier today stating that the BBOC was offered nine scheduled runs, four from Benque to Belize City and five return runs from Belize City to Benque daily. The offer was accepted by the cooperative and is set to take effect on June first.
Who is looking out for what is in the best interest of the communters? Communters always get the shorter end of the stick. Sometimes these buses are uncomfortable, crowdy, and unrealiable. The transport department need to ensure upon licensing of buses that certain criteras are meet – to acceptable standards.
I amazes me that people would agree to extend the juridiction of the Gange Unit beyond the city. Perhaps they will chnage their minds when they get a feel of the pain cause by these Gang Bangers. It will bee too late
It’s a simple solution. Leave them with there regular schedule and let the new comer leave 15 min after them on every route and let the people choose who they want to go with. Let the people choose the service they want. The problem here is greed from all bus owners. That’s why they crowed up people like sardins and don’t want no one else to compete. Then greed on the new comer because he wants to be the only one and that sounds like monoply to me and that can’t the happen ethier. I believe there is business for all of them and competition is good. So who ever wants to stay in business better improve there service that is if they want the people business because they are the ones that will decide.
I agree Paul although I sympathize with the bus operators. The transport department should do its job. Their job is no only to issue permits but see that the commuters get the best service. Some buses travelling from Benque to Belize are over crowded. If they monitor this they will see that at some hours they need to have two buses moving out at the same time. But do your job transport people.