Local Bus Operators Protest E-Bus Project, Cite Unfair Competition

While BAPDA is singing praises for the E-buses, the owners of City Shuttle, Lopez Shuttle, and Lemoth and Sons Bus Service have written to the Minister of Transport expressing discontent with the pilot project. Last week, three local bus operators sent a letter to the Minister Rodwell Ferguson claiming the buses have created unfair competition. The companies wrote, quote, “to date, we have not come forward to place our objections on the official record due to our fear of political victimization by the city and the Government. We realize, however, that if we continue to remain silent, that we will be destroyed and run out of business by our own Government.” End of quote.  According to the group, the bus routes and slashed fares for students have cut into their bottom line. They say the council is using grant funds to push them out of business and take over the local transport sector. The group is demanding monthly publications of the collected financial and non-financial data from the number of passengers, revenues, and expenses. Additionally, they are demanding the profits be returned to stakeholders every month and for the e-buses to not obtain any additional routes.