This evening at 5:00 pm in Belize City, the Transport Board headed by another former BDF commandant, Cedric Borland met to make a resolution to impound National Transport's buses. Yes, even after the save last night and this morning, the Transport Board has decided to move decisively against the Novelo brothers. The meeting to take that decision just finished at 6:00 pm and Alfonso Noble was there.
Cedric Borland, Chairman - Transport Board
"This meeting is called really to look at those buses running without a valid road service permit and that covers a wide spectrum because we do have many buses out there running without a road service permit. We've had situations of course which I am sure you are aware of where people who have people who have valid road service are on the road and as a result are feeling an illegal competition from those running without a valid road service permit. The purpose of this meeting is to look at these illegal buses running without a valid road service permit and make a decision."
Alfonso Noble,
It is my understanding that up to the point when the police had come you all had arrived at a consensus what you were going to do but that has since changed.
Cedric Borland,
"That is not so. I must mention that we are working, the board is working on information that they have received from the enforcement officers that are on the ground and we are making decisions based on that."
Alfonso Noble,
So what is the action that you all are looking to take in regards to those operators who are operating basically illegally?
Cedric Borland,
"The board will make a decision. Our outcome really is that if there is an illegal activity, it is to stop and we hope that in stopping these illegal activities we will be able to regularize and better manage the public transportation system."
Alfonso Noble,
How are you thinking of stopping this illegal activity?
Cedric Borland,
"First of all I think we are taking it a step at a time. What we did was we looked at those existing bus owners with a expired road service permit and we went ahead and revised that and the first step really was to look at that and renew those road service permits. The next step now is to look at those that are running illegally and that is the stage we are at this time."
Alfonso Noble,
Are you at all considering impounding some of these buses?
Cedric Borland,
"I must say that the board has the authority to impound buses and we have not at this point and timer, in this meeting, reach a decision to impoundment. We are aware of the illegal activities that are occurring as regards to operating with a road service permit and as soon as that stage, that decision has been made, the media will be informed."
