Pink Route: Weekend/Holiday Ferries Return
This afternoon [June 23] Minister of Transport Terry Lister announced that Government will be reinstating the weekend and holiday ferry service on the Paget/Warwick route starting this coming Monday [June 27]. They will also provide two additional runs Monday – Friday
Ferry routes had been reduced in April of this year due to “budgeting constraints”. A fare increase to help offset the operational costs will take effect on 1st August.
Minister Lister also said when originally reducing the routes, the intent was for a privately operated company to provide the weekend and holiday service by way of a public/private partnership, however “due to circumstances beyond their control” the partnership never materialized.
Minister Lister’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon,
When the 2011 Summer Ferry schedule was introduced the Department of Marine and Ports made a decision to reduce scheduled services on the Pink Route to minimize the annual overtime and operating cost incurred in the provision of this service.
This decision was taken for a couple of reasons – primarily the low ridership when compared with other routes and the fixed cost of operating with a three man crew on the smaller Harbour ferries.
I should mention that the intent was for a privately operated company to provide the weekend and Public Holiday service by way of a Public Private Partnership agreement with Department of Marine and Ports.
We had negotiations with the third party with respect to this proposition. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control this partnership never materialized.
The reduced schedule went into effect on 11th April 2011 with the caveat that the schedule would be reviewed as the summer season progresses.
To that end, we have had discussions with some of the smaller guest houses located on Harbour Road; with the residents of Hinsons Island, and with individuals who use this service. Many of these persons suggested a fare increase as a means of restoring the service.
Following this consultation with those who use the Pink Route Service, the Department of Marine and Ports has reviewed the Paget/Warwick schedule and is pleased to announce the reinstatement of the weekend and Public Holiday service.
In comparison with the 2010 summer schedule the service will be reduced by four (4) round trips on Saturday and three (3) round trips on Sundays and Public Holidays. Whilst the reintroduction of the weekend and Public Holiday service will increase operating cost, the uplift in fees will help to offset these operational costs.
Additionally, the Monday to Friday schedule has been amended to include two extra runs departing Hamilton terminal at 11 a.m. and 12 noon.
The reintroduction of the weekend and public holiday service of the weekend and Public Holiday service and the extra daily runs will commence on 27th June, while the fare increase will take effect on 1st August.
Thank you.
Thumbs Up Minister. Glad that you guys had a rethink. We know we have a thinking, caring government, who listens to the people.
I don’t think that there was any “thinking” done in the first place. Maybe if they had thought about the implications of cancelling the weekend routes in the first place, they wouldn’t be “rethinking” their policies now.
Just another example of backpedaling to knee-jerk policies designed to get us out of the hole that this country is in thanks to the “never ending party” party.
Right decision, but no thought was used.
Concerning that the PLP are embracing PPP as a concept to fund public services. Short termism at it’s worst.
“Pink Route”……….
Bwahaaaaaa
Talk about ‘colour’ blind………………….
‘Tourist’…this pink route looks great…
Ferry Boat “Red Bull” guy……get on…ver goin on a slip and slide….hir mee…………
So now its time for Terry
To comment on the ferry
He seems like a dink
He doesn’t like pink
Perhaps it reminds him of fairies
So what happened to the promise made by the gover(n)ment, in the past 2 elections…. What was it….
Oh, yes, I remember…. Free public transport for all Bermudians!!!
Seems that the Ministers can get new cars.. But those of us that pay for them have to suffer more…
Congratulations to all those who voiced their opinions and made the government realise what a crazy decision this was. Shame on those who thought these residents and tourists would just accept it. I am glad however, that the govt had the guts to do a U-turn.
It’s great to see the PLP reversing (another) decision but so far no-one has commented on the up and coming fare increase (due August 1st according to the article).
I’m wondering if the fare increase is going be only for the pink route?
We asked for clarification on that, hopefully can update with that today…
And, yes, the Ministry confirmed the price raise is just on the pink route. The exact amount is still not clear however.
And directly contrary to the promise made at the last election of free public transport for all.
They’re just plain liars.
That surprises you how?
Not a surprise at all….it was another ‘we deceived you because we had to’.
The ‘promise’ of free transport for all was a complete lie. They never meant it for one single second.
Why just raise it for the pink route? Why not do it across the board? If they need to fund a transportation system, they should do it on the basis of operating costs vs. income. No more bull**** about “free rides” – let everyone pay their way on the buses and ferries. Free is never truly “free”. There will be a cost down the line – lets not get the shock 2 years from now when the system has fallen apart — oops it’s already falling apart.
Sure increase the price on all the routes!! BUT…
Reschedule the routes so they are useable.. (run evening ferries so people can stay in town for dinner and not have to pay $50 for a taxi)
Have a regular maintenance schedule for the ferries.. Support staff should work at night when the ferries are not in operation that way you don’t have to cancel runs for regular maintenance.
I agree, with Overly, free is never free…. So why promise something you know will never happen… Oh yes.. Politics… Politicians… Whatever gets me elected is good enough.. Then I can do as I wish!!
Seriously..You’re raising the price
foolishness #thatisall
Wow, the Pink route only had to endure 2 months decrease in service before getting the decision REVERSED. Let’s talk about the cancellation of the weekend ferries at Watford Bridge and Cavello Bay and the steady decrease in service which caused a petition to be circulating years ago with over (200) names.
That was to be reviewed as well. We’re still waiting……………