Panton blasts Government over reported three week delay in school bus payments

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar Panton is criticizing the Government over reports that school bus operators contracted by the Ministry of Education have gone unpaid for three weeks.

In a social media statement on Monday, Panton said the situation has reportedly forced drivers to strike in an effort to receive money they have already earned.

She described school bus operators as providing an essential public service by transporting children safely to and from school and argued that both operators and students are being placed in an unnecessary predicament.

Panton contrasted the reported payment delays with the Government’s recent move to grant the National Bus Company exclusive permits along the Western and Southern routes.

She questioned how the Government could act quickly to secure arrangements for one bus company while reportedly failing to ensure that contracted school bus operators are paid on time.

“That is unacceptable,” Panton said.

She noted that operators have families to support, fuel expenses, vehicle maintenance costs and other bills to meet.

Panton called on the Government to address the situation, declaring, “Belize @45, let us get it together.”

The post Panton blasts Government over reported three week delay in school bus payments appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.