B.B.A. President: We Will Fight for Our Bus Operators

Thomas Shaw

Floralia has been given consideration to also conduct runs in the north and west of the country, which the B.B.A officers say they will also challenge should Floralia get runs that compromise their members’ economic stability. At the centre of the conflict is the Minister of Transport, Rodwell Ferguson, who has been giving the bus operators a listening ear, and creating an audience with the management of the National Bank and the bus operators but also putting down his foot in giving them a deadline to get with the program. The B.B.A. President, Thomas Shaw had a fundamental concern with the management of Floralia Bus Line and directed that concern straight to them.

Thomas Shaw, President, Belize Bus Association

“If you stated that you didn’t have any interest in bringing more runs into the country, why is it that you want to go to the west; why is it you want to go to the north? You even mentioned to me that Mr. Shaw I’ve already checked all the time slots and to be honest, every slot that I looked at is being taken by another operator. Now, if you had a vision for this industry and you had any kind of conscience and empathy towards the existing operators, you’d have consulted with us, knowing there’s an association. You didn’t come to us. Whosoever you went to or whosoever set you up – because I think you’re being set up because there’s no way you can make it in this industry unless you are willing to buy out everybody and we pull aside.”