Tonight there is justified concern in the south about what's going to happen to Floralia's runs from PG to Belize City, Dangriga to Belize City and Independence to Belmopan come Sunday.
You may recall that the high court ruled that those permits were improperly awarded by the Transport Board, and the government had until December 10th to straighten it out - by giving the other bus operators, G-Line and James - fair consideration for those runs.
That means the existing permits expire on Saturday at midnight, and the Ministry of Transport couldn't get its act together, so - along with Floralia - they went to the court today asking for an extension until February.
We tried to ask the Minister of Transport what will happen. We spoke to him today in Orange Walk - but he, again deflected:
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Sports
"Well I try not to comment on that case because it's in the hands of the AG I believe by this afternoon they should give me an answer if it is positive or negative but I want to wait until he responds to me."
And, it's negative...
This afternoon in court Justice Chabot denied the Floralia/GOB Application to stay the effect of her order. So, the bottom line is: Floralia must cease those runs this Sunday. That seems to throw the southern transport operations into chaos and the main question tonight is how will commuters who depend on those runs get to their destinations?
It seems no one knows. This evening, the Attorney General could only tell us, quote, "The Ministry of Transport will be updating commuters on the matter by midday tomorrow."
So, we wait on word, and we'll let you know when we know.
At the top of the news we told you about the lack of clarity on southern runs since Floralia's road service permits will be cancelled on Saturday at midnight.
Well a late evening release from The ministry of Transport on the following bus runs that will be discontinued temporarily following the termination of Floralias Bus road service permits. These are three bus runs:
- 1.) one originating at 5:30 a.m. from Punta Gorda en route to Belize City daily,
- 2.) a bus run originating at 6:30 a.m. in Punta Gorda en route to Belize City from Monday to Saturday and
- 3.) a bus run that departs Dangriga at 6:00 a.m. en route to Belize City from Monday to Saturday.
The Ministry will issue another public advisory tomorrow to inform commuters what to expect as of December 11, 2023 as a result of this decision.
ENS...
