We also asked Ferguson about Floralia Bus Line's rumored new runs to Northern and Western Belize.
This company has been the focus of frustration to the other traditional bus operators. In March, Belize Bus Association strongly rejected their application for a bus run from Independence to Dangriga, then to Belize City, and back. And now, the company has made two other applications.
Here's what the Transport Minister had to say about those applications that are in their initial stages:
Daniel Ortiz
"Is that fair or unfair, in your opinion?"
Rodwell Ferguson - Minister of Sports
"This is one minister who does not dictate. Everything I do, and they request a meeting; I make myself available. And so, we had a meeting on Monday, and Floralia did apply for a run, I think, from Placencia to Belize City, and I think, one from the Western Border to the Northern Border, and I think vice-versa. And so, we sat down, and we discussed. The guy from Floralia was also in the meeting, and we decided to sit down and seriously analyze the whole situation. We don't know what will be the end result, but we committed to the bus operators that we're going to respect them as pioneers in the industry. It is time for the country to go to another level, but we need to sit down and have serious dialog so that everybody could be on-board and understand each other. So far, we had a good meeting on Monday, and we're all onboard."
Daniel Ortiz
"So, is that a situation where it's in the application phase? Or how far along are we with their requests for these runs?"
Rodwell Ferguson
"It's in the application phase, but I think initially, it will have to go in the Gazette. Until the Board approves, and so, nothing has been signed. The Transport Board remains mute until we come to a final decision."
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