For over 50 years Belizean have withstood an out-dated public transportation scheme by a handful of bus operators whose mantra has been to offer unexceptional basic services to commuters forced to travel aboard old-fashioned Blue Bird busses that have been retired decades elsewhere.

Over the last few months, the dynamics in the public transportation industry has shifted slightly to the benefit of commuters when Floralia Limited, a new investor in shuttles from southern Belize decided to come into the industry to provide the ultimate, long-awaited higher quality of service to travellers with reliability, air condition and spacious seats. 

However, last week a handful of bus operators dubbed the Belize Bus Owner’s Association through their attorney, Senior Counsel Dean Barrow, filed writ in the Supreme Court seeking judicial review, challenging the legality of the Road Service Permits granted to the new bus line from the south, Floralia Limited. An innovative public transport company that in just three months, has transformed the dynamics within the industry by modernizing the mode of transportation that has stood still in time for over 50 years.

In just a few months, Floralia, with just a small fleet of new buses and a limited amount of road service permits, has proven to Belizean commuters that they are for real.

The Transport Department has been pushing Bus Operators to upgrade the quality of services with modern shuttles but operators have been adamant saying it can’t be done because of the significant investment, well, Floralia has brought novelty to the industry, now BBA crying wolf.  

In the eyes of public opinion, Floralia operations has been the expectation of the commuting public for decades now, Transport has notified Bus Operators that the must upgrade by June 2022.

The BBA and the Bus Operators are one and the same individuals banded together, they are not capable to find the necessary financing of at least $100Million to replace all those old run-down busses that traditionally they have used as the mode for public transport in Belize.

This lawsuit is perceived as a fear tactics in this charade, bus operators could have at least displayed some creativity by collectively stepping up to the challenge towards the future of public transportation in the same manner Floralia did.

Floralia only have road service permits for passengers travelling to and from Punta Gorda to Belize City and vis-à-versa but the friendly service and comfort offered is superior to what the majority of busses have in place for travellers and people prefer riding on Floralia even if they have to wait for their scheduled departure.

It is really not surprising to read the various positive posts and comments by the commuting public regarding the feeling of satisfaction, comfort and services provided by “Floralia” since its debut on December 6th 2021, it’s a positive shift in a direction that the people been waiting for decades now. 

According to Marvin Vanzie, Owner & Operations Director of Floralia Ltd, before coming into the public transportation industry they had to plan a strategy to provide commuters with better service aimed at excellence which is transforming the system of transportation that is causing bus operators some discomfort but which will force them to up their game. 

There is no doubt that Floralia came into it to win it with benefits and comfort towards commuters. 

The Difference is Clear!!!