In 2011, a massive bus strike saw tires burning on the highways, blocking the north and central areas of the country, and the major bus companies refusing to run. It put the country in a crisis - and 12 years later - bus operators are talking about doing it all over again.
That strike had happened because the Belize Bus Association and the Belize Bus Owners Cooperative had made demands of the transport board, which were rejected. And today, during the press conference, they're back again with two more demands - the first of which expires in less than 72 hours.
And what happens if the board doesn't comply? Well, the BBA says what will follow will make the 2011 strike look like child's play.
Here's how they put it today during a press conference:
Reporter:
"Earlier you demanded the removal of the chair of the transport board within a 72 hour period, can you explain why?"
Ewart Metzgen, Secretary, BBA
"He's part and parcel of the problem."
Courtney Menzies:
"So then what happens after the 72 hours..."
Ewart Metzgen, Secretary, BBA
"We will dance. We will dance, no doubt about that, we will dance."
Courtney Menzies:
"Are you anticipating something similar to the previous bus strikes that have happened?"
Ewart Metzgen, Secretary, BBA
"It will be on steroids."
So how did the BBA get to this point? According to the president, Thomas Andy Shaw, the relationship between the government and the association was smooth, until Floralia came into the picture. Now, they feel the new bus line is getting an unfair advantage since they've been given duty exemptions and runs that once belonged to old bus companies.
The Transport Minister has explained that they're trying to improve the public transport system, and that's why they've given the bus companies an ultimatum to either get with the program, or get out.
But the president said that would be fine IF the board was proceeding by the book. But instead, Shaw says that, as a board member, he's noticed some sketchy behavior that is aimed at taking out the older operators.
Thomas Andy Shaw, President, BBA
"When Mr Rtichie's runs were taken away, I sat there, the minister was in that meeting, and they came up and said they were going to send him a letter, but I dialogued and said, give Mr Ritchie's a chance for him to redeem himself. when Mr Ritche's did get that letter, the letter was for him to cease and desist his operation on the 13th of February, which we didn't agree to. Lo and behold I have documents here, and I didn't print this, this is the government printed the Gazette, this is the Gazette, the government Gazette, we held meeting on the 12th but this Gazette is showing that this man apply on the 10th and we held meeting on the 12th and I'm a member of the Transport Board and I wasn't privy to this. It's the first I'm actually seeing it, when I went and bought this Gazette. So the minister is saying he is trying to fix the system, there's no way you can fix the system if you are part of the problem."
"I would like to let the public understand, be careful what you ask for, when there's a monopoly and let's say we say we're gonna quit. As it is right now, Floralia is charged $9 from Belmopan to Belize City, can everybody afford to pay it? They just can't. Let people choose what they want to ride."
"While taking away Mr Ritchie's permit, I sit on the board and Mr Ritchie's has a 7:45 out of Belize City, I have a 6:15 out of Belmopan."
"When I look, Ritchie's used to do a 2:45 out of Placencia and return the following day. So to accommodate this company for it to be back in Belmopan, they gave them the 6:15 that I am doing then it gets to Belize City let's say 7:30 and turn back 7:45. The 2:45 that leaves Placencia, it gets to Belize City 7:30 at night, and it's right here, it turns back 8:00 at night, which is my run. And I'm part of the board, and I wasn't even privy to this information."
"After we have our meeting, there's a separate meeting between two or three persons behind closed doors and when you hear, oh the board approved it, which board? The ply board? Come on, guys, let's wake up, this is Belize, this is the last industry that is left in this country, and we as Belizeans have got to protect it."
They are also calling on the prime minister to intervene in what they refer to as a national issue.
