In February, displaced former employees of the collapsed Novelo's Bus Line came together to form a cooperative to secure runs so that they could continue to make a living in the industry that they've worked in for most of their adult lives. We followed them as they went from Minister to Prime Minister to board and it seemed everywhere they turned, doors were shut in their faces. But, there's nothing like persistence, and today the Belize bus drivers cooperative got a little bite. Anna Young, the cooperative secretary says they have gotten some runs.
Anna Young,
"We have received fourteen permits. We received three from out of Corozal, two from out of Punta Gorda, and nine from out of Benque."
Alfonso Noble,
Will all these be return trips, meaning to and from the locations?
Anna Young,
"Yes. We are not sure of the hours as yet."
Alfonso Noble,
Is this all that you are seeking,. Are these all the runs you want to start the business and employ all the people you claimed were supposed to be a part of this cooperative?
Anna Young,
"Its not all that we had requested. We had actually applied for 75 permits and out of the 75 we have only gotten 14 so far. We are expecting to get more permits because the transport board is still in their process of meetings and issuing permits so in the near future we are hoping to get more permits. And as for employment of all the bus drivers that are in the cooperative, we were not able to give everybody a bus at this time but most of the people that have gotten a bus will be able to work along with another driver so as to try and employ as much as we can within the cooperative."
Young says they will begin operating on Friday through the West Canal Bus Terminal. Their headquarters however will be on Mosul Street, the site where Batty's Bus Line was once located. Financing for this new bus line comes from Atlantic Bank.
