On this newscast, we've told you multiple times about what we call the bus wars.
That's where the competition for customers is so fierce on the road, that bus drivers from rival companies end up racing to try and scoop up as many passengers as they can, to steal commuters from their rivals. All this creates for dangerous driving practices, putting commuters at risk.
But, one bus owner says that a rival company recently took it to a new level. Bert Ramos of Ramos Bus Company runs the Ladyville route every day, and he says that on last Saturday, criminals attacked his bus driver, and put a beatdown on him, while he was on the job
That was cause for concern, but according to Ramos, criminals robbed his female conductor last night of the days proceeds. Taken in isolation, it appears that these are random crimes of opportunity, where the assailants were attempting to make a quick "come up".
But Ramos doesn't believe that. He says that he has information which suggests that a rival bus company is attempting to sabotage his operation. We met him this afternoon at the Ladyville Police Station, and he said that he held a meeting with the officer commanding to lodge his complaint:
Bert Ramos - Manager/Owner, Ramos Bus Company
"Sometime during the day Saturday, my driver got attacked by 5 individuals in a car, and they beat up the man bad. Right now, he has to be using straws. He's really in pain right now. We think that it's really not called for for 5 men just jump on a bus, and beat up a driver who doesn't have anything with anyone. So, we are speculating exactly what took place."
Reporter
"Did they get away with any money from your operator?"
Bert Ramos
"No, they didn't get any money. That's it's not a robbery which happened because they did not take any money, or anything. Last night, about a quarter to 9, the next bus was robbed. Well, this one was robbed now."
Reporter
"What did they steal? What did they get away with?"
Bert Ramos
"Well, they took away the purse from the young lady. I have only female conductors. They took the purse from her. They took the float, and maybe about a $100 because those buses don't really make anything like that. That's about $100 and $40. So, the person took it away and ran."
Reporter
"But, you don't think it's an ordinary robbery attempt."
Bert Ramos
"No, we are around on the street, and people bring information to us. We find out that the next company is setting this attack on my company because they want to take over the entire Ladyville run."
"Today, we came to a meeting with the officer in charge here at Ladyville."
Reporter
"Sir, but while you and your employees have reason to suspect sabotage, it could have simply been an ordinary crime. Have you considered that?"
Bert Ramos
"We know that it's not an ordinary crime."
Ramos says that he is only seeking to peacefully conduct his operations, and to keep his staff safe while they're trying to do their jobs.
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