Who Speaks for Bus Operators, Chester or Phillip Jones?

But there’s a bit of a tug-of-war over who really has the backing of Belize’s bus operators. The Ministry of Transport says its plans for a National Bus Company are getting solid support from members of the Belize Bus Association. But CEO Chester Williams is going a step further, claiming the association only represents a small fraction of the industry. Well, that didn’t sit well with newly elected B.B.A. President Phillip Jones. He’s not letting that slide, saying that’s simply not true, and he’s got reasons to prove it.

 

Chester Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Transport

“The consolidation is not geared at getting nobody out of a job, as you may have heard the rhetoric coming out of the bus association. Let me say that when the association speaks, they are not speaking on behalf of the majority, because they don’t have a majority. It is just a minority they are speaking for.”

 

On the Phone: Phillip Jones, President, Belize Bus Association

“I would like to correct that. At this moment, it is only the phase where they are asking the bus owners to participate in their presentation. We have not reached the stage to say if they agree to sell or be a part of this. At this present moment, majority of the operators want to listen to what they have to offer, not to sell. So this the membership, not me Phillip Jones, the president of the Belize.”