When we left you on Friday transport Minister Melvin Hulse had agreed to a three week suspension of implementation for new bus routes in the northern region.
But Saturday morning news came down that while the new deal in the north was being postponed, changes in the west were going right ahead. Now, the West and the north are tied into each other because routes for the Belize bus owners cooperative in the West were cancelled in favour of new runs in the north.
So implementing the new western regime - while holding off in the north - amounts in major and immediate losses to them - and instant benefits to a powerful new western operator, Westline.
They only became aware of it on Saturday that they would be losing the majority of their runs on Sunday - so here's what they did on Sunday morning:
Jules Vasquez Reporting
There were police inside and around the compound while BBOC busses - stripped of their road service permits - were locked out of the compound and were parked on the streets blocking entrance to the terminal which they were not allowed into.
Thomas Shaw, President BBOC
"Effective today all permits from the east to west has been revoked and they are not supposed to enter the terminal. So I told my members that they are still supposed to show up and this is the reason why we are out here in support and I need the Prime Minister, I need the Minister to stand up to his words because its quite unfair and enough is enough. This is a democratic protest, as I said we are not out here to fight but I want them to get the sense of this whole thing, he has lied once again. He has betrayed the country. We held a meeting on Friday and we had an agreement with the minister and actually the minister back down on his agreement. I am totally disappointed; I am annoyed due to the fact that these guys have an investment. They have a family, they have mortgages."
Mortgages or not they have to give way to Westline bus.
Thomas Shaw, President BBOC
"The whole scenario that actually start this whole situation is due to the fact that the Westline which is owned by Mr. Chuc - if they didn't put this operator in the west more than likely we wouldn't have a problem in the north, so I don't really know what kind of game the minister is trying to play."
And Westline even if it still has on US plates is the authorized carrier.
Claude Frazer, Chairman - Belize Bus Owners Coop
"So why would you send this? Is this commuter's safety? I don't think so."
Reporter
"What is commuter's safety?"
Claude Frazer, Chairman - Belize Bus Owners Coop
"Well according to the minister he is implying all kinds of commuters safety with the type of quality of busses and everything but without a proper license plate - it's useless."
Thomas Shaw, President BBOC
"These are the busses that Mr. Chuc stated that he is going to provide a better service and the first day he is commencing his runs without a license plate which is illegal."
The standoff caused a traffic blockage on West Colet Canal and with that - commuters who had been left in the lurch started jumping on the BBOC bus - which they know so well that was waiting on the canal side - a practical but also a political decision
Commuter
"I have to support them because they are supporting us every day."
Andy Meyers, commuter
"I have to support this bus because this bus works every day."
But the authorities did not support the mover and stopped the bus at mile four
Andy Meyers, commuter
"I feel bad, really bad as a Belizean that this is happening. People are on timing and they have to go far."
Commuter
"What I am trying to say is that why are they putting those bus without insurance and without a license plate on these roads for? If they don't want this bus to pass because this has insurance and license."
Reporter
"Do you have a problem with this bus?"
Commuter
"I don't have a problem; this bus always took me to Cayo."
Andy Meyers, commuter
"Those kinds of busses we don't want any at all. This bus here is giving us our service and this is what we need. It's just like you are exchanging a black dog for a monkey. We are not with that."
But with police blocking the road, they had no other choice than to wait for the Westline bus - with or without a license plate which the commuters loaded into.
It rolled out - sanctioned if not licensed but the commuters who did not get on were not happy at all
Commuter
"I know best because when Novelo's bus was running they fly pass you on the road and they don't even stop."
So on this day - taking a principled stand meant standing on the roadside back at West Collet Canal Terminal - Busses blocked the street and commuters had to go to east Collet canal to get on the Westline bus which could not proceed up the canal because that was also blocked.
So while it had to dodge down a side street commuters still weren't happy. Eventually the transport department brought personnel to move the busses and the Westline busses were free to move in and out of the terminal
The situation was relieved without major chaos but for authorities this is only the first skirmish in what may be a long battle of resistance.
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