But the Belize Bus Association - which says it represents 25 operators has rejected the package of 37 conditions for all operators. Today Chairman of the Association Thomas Shaw told us that implementation of the 37 conditions is impractical because many operators are just barely breaking even:..

Thomas Shaw
"If there are certain and in reality what the operators are saying is that the people are actually paying for what they are getting. In order for the operator to meet these demands we are asking in increase in bus fares, fuel, tires, whatever, it is needed."

Jules Vasquez
"You all importantly are asking for representation on the transport board. That's one of the key request you all are making?"

Thomas Shaw
"Absolutely, why we are asking that as you know from in the past when we just started out that was one of our main goal - is to have somebody from the association to sit on the transport board because what took place in the past we can see it happening here again and if we had somebody on the transport board from the association things like this wouldn't really occur. Basically we have a situation with BBOC and Chucs and it's based on the same thing. We have so many operators in the west but only Mr. Chuc pays for his permit, nobody else."

Jules Vasquez
"Wait, I want you to specify. Are you saying that Mr. Chuc is receiving special treatment? We know that right now nobody has a valid road service permit or that is what I believed."

Thomas Shaw
"From the mere fact out of all the operators he is being single out and sent a letter and pay for his permit - what should I say? I think he is getting first preference."

Jules Vasquez
"A large part of the dispute centers over who will have the runs 3:00-3:30-4:00 from Benque Viejo into the city. Those are I guess some of the more lucrative runs from that area and I heard that the proposal was to take it away from the BBOC and give Mr. Chuc's Westline. What is the status of that now?"

Thomas Shaw
"Also we are looking for a showdown. As I said we will be knocking on their doors and as I said that's going to be our last option in terms of still going out there on a strike because we know it affects the commuters and this is the reason as president I am trying the best possible way out to see how we can dialogue with the government in order to solve this problem."

Sergio Chuc today told us that his two year permits were paid in last year May - and are valid for two years.

About those 3:30 and 4:00 pm runs from Benque to Belize City - Chuc says he has paid for those runs about a month ago - but he has not gotten the permits - only the letter of approval and the receipt. He says the permits should be issued sometime soon - and he expects that he will be able to use those runs. He has met with the BBOC - and agreed to a swap to offset the difference. That proposal was temporarily accepted and then later rejected.

And that's where it stands tonight - at an impasse. Chuc says he is open to compromise and dialogue - but accuses the BBOC of wanting to cherry-pick.