Since Floralia's launch on December 6th, the Belize Bus Association has been adamantly opposed to their runs. They even went so far as to challenge Floralia in court, hoping to get the bus company's road service permits quashed.
But Floralia has kept up its runs and is even planning to extend its route from just the south to the west and the north as well. However, the BBA is taking a stand and pleading to the Ministry of Transport for them not to allow this to happen.
That's because the association believes Floralia has been given special treatment. They say it's unfair that a newcomer is "coming up" off another operator's bus routes and that they should have taken the runs that aren't being serviced, such as the ones at 7pm or later.
And now, the BBA says they cannot co-exist with Floralia, since they claim the new bus company is eating into their revenue. The president and secretary of the association explained more.
Thomas Shaw, President BBA
"Floralia came in and yes we don't want to, because we still have a court case going on with them, but anyway, initially they came in and they got three runs out at the South which they are doing presently. I asked Mr. Vanzie if he had any interest in doing more runs, and he said no that's it and that would be final unless the department think otherwise. Behold it was out there on Facebook advertisement that they will be running in the North and the West. The application came up to the board of which I objected. That application was deferred until October next month, but it's a service that will impact most of the existing operators. As I said, if a person wants to come into the industry, do your due diligence, I don't think you should come and insert yourself in front or amongst any operator that has already established a route. We can't just jump up and just issue a permit to an operator just like that, we have got to do our ground work to see whether or not it is going to be feasible, if you go and give somebody something it should be viable. Our thing right here is we have letters from our operators - letters of objection - to the board, and we are here today to object on these runs that these operators will be applying for."
Ewart Metzgen, Secretary, BBA
"Why we truly object to the Floralia runs is because in order for us to get these new buses that they want, the existing runs that we have, the money we make off those runs, we need to show and take in figures to the bank. If Florlia is a newcomer now and the time they are getting they are 15 minutes in front of you, and before they come, that particular bus run that you may already have your paperwork set up to take into the bank to show them okay 'I make $800 off this one run, this is how come I can pay for my loan with the income I am making'. Now, if you put Floralia 15-20 minutes in front of me, no matter what they say about it won't affect them or it's a different service, you will be affect that man. So, that revenue will be cut from $800 to $400-$500. Now, this is the basis as to why we are objecting because they want us to improve but they are strangling us in a way."
And BBA also expressed concern that Floralia is not being transparent with who its investors are - and whether the company is owned by foreigners.
Thomas Shaw, President BBA
"First thing I want to address, Floralia came in, we don't really know where the funds are coming from. I had asked that question, 'where is the money coming from', because nobody knows where the money is coming from and we don't know if it is a foreign entity. When Novelos got his $30 million, it was public knowledge, everybody knew it came from DFC. When I asked about where the money was coming from, I was told to check Central Bank. So, it is unfair that an operator comes in, you don't know where the investment is coming from, the FIU, nobody got involved. If someone wanted to send you money through Western Union right now, 'what is this for?', it is a lot of problem. And we are talking about millions of dollars, and this is where it is unfair due to the fact that if you have an investment, even the Government if you are getting a loan or getting a grant, they take it to the house and it is public knowledge. This operator is saying the fare that my operator has, they are in front there stating that they are the owner, nobody wants to know if somewhere doing the road 'okay Mr. Metzgen can't hold up, Belize Transit can't hold up, Mr. Dawson can't hold up so you know what Floralia'. At the end of the day our country or industry is owned by some people say Chinese, some people say because there is a lot of speculation, I cannot prove it but everybody knows. We just came out of a pandemic, if you go and check any lending institution right now, nobody wants to give you that kind of money, so we want to know where the money is coming from."
The co-founder of Floralia, Marvin Vanzie, has stated multiple times that he is in fact a Belizean. We asked him for a comment, and just a few minutes ago, he sent this:
Quote, "One Month ago, Floralia made an official request to be a member of the Belize Bus Association. The Executives of the BBA rejected Floralia's application citing they have a lawsuit against GOB concerning Floralia's present runs in the South. Who is the BBA? What is the purpose of this Association? What is the Vision of this Association? I see an Association that has been hijacked by a few large operators. An Association with Executives that are no longer Representing nor Serving the best interest of the majority of its members. These select BBA Executives are focused on halting any and all progress. They feel they "OWN" these routes, and they prefer the present system where Belizeans have no option or choice for a better service. If it was up to them, Floralia would not be operating out of the South. And if they have their way, Belizeans in the West and North will NEVER have the "Option" to choose a service that offers Reliability, Safety, and Comfort. In essence, the BBA Executives are making every effort to rob Belizeans of the "OPTION" to decide on the Quality of Service. What about the commuters? BBE never speaks about what is best for the Commuter. This is because every paying passenger wants the option of a better, more reliable, comfortable, and safe bus experience. Commuters want value for their money. Belizeans, it's time you make your thoughts known. Demand more from all Bus Operators. It is your hard-earned money." End quote.
