Last week, the Ministry of Transportation hosted the inaugural meeting of the National Bus Company Pro Temp Advisory Committee. It's the first step in revamping the national highway bus system.
But the Belize Bus Association doesn't see it that way. They issued a release expressing their concerns with the stakeholders chosen to be part of the committee. They pointed out that no member of their association was invited, and the minister appointed a, quote, "novice, minimally experienced, non-BBA member, as the Bus industry's representative." End quote. He is referring to Oswin Blease, owner of Fu We Transport.
The BBA then says, quote, "This move guarantees that the BBA has no meaningful input in a process that directly affects and impacts us as key stakeholders. His move exposes a strategic motive to silence the BBA and replace our voice with a token appointee." End quote.
They are now demanding the answers to two questions: what selection criteria was used to appoint the bus operators' rep to the committee? And how does replacing solid representation with a move bus operator add value and transparency to the process?
They're hoping the minister can sit down with them to provide these answers soon.
