Buses: Tourism Minister To Meet With Transport
This morning [Apr.28] Minister of Business Development & Tourism Patrice Minors said she is meeting “with representatives from the Transport Ministry to discuss what can be done to address any concerns, particularly as it relates to our bus system.”
This follows on the heels of reductions to both the ferry and bus system, and an article carried on the USA Today website claiming “The island nation of Bermuda appears to have had enough with visiting cruise ship passengers clogging its public buses.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
One of the great things that Bermuda prides itself on as a destination is its reliable and efficient public transportation system. Our buses and ferries are heavily relied on by our residents and visitors alike and it’s regrettable when these services are hindered from operating effectively.
I think it is critical to understand that we have made some significant strides in recent months and have seen some positive signs with regard to tourism. Simply put, our tourism industry is vital to Bermuda’s economy. And now, more than any other time on our history, we must all collectively come together to ensure its success.
That said, I am meeting with representatives from the Transport Ministry to discuss what can be done to address any concerns, particularly as it relates to our bus system.
It is our hope that some common ground solutions can be reached as swiftly as possible to minimize any further inconvenience for our residents and visitors
“significant strides”, backwards. Plain to see.
“we have made some significant strides in recent months”
….backwards?
In other words: “We were caught totally off guard by this. We’ll try to play catch up now.”
They going to talk about Harbour Road ferries too?
No matter how long they meet for one thing is certain,,,NOTHING WILL CHANGE!!! The government is such a bunch of I can’t write its!!
“One of the great things that Bermuda prides itself on as a destination is its reliable and efficient public transportation system. Our buses and ferries are heavily relied on by our residents and visitors alike and it’s regrettable when these services are hindered from operating effectively”. – Minister Patrice Minors.
What about the Paget/Warwick ferries that were cut drastically during the week and eliminated on weekends? These provided transport to numerous tourists residing in guest houses and hotels along Harbour Road, where there is no bus service. Why is the Tourism Minister not discussing these cuts at the same time?
What predominant color are the people getting off the cruise ships and onto buses? What about the ones living and vacationing in Paget and Warwick who would use the ferries??? Coincidence? I think not.
I have no idea….but your point is…?
lol right… what does race have to do with this??
Put it this way..PLP is a black govt….its voters are yelling that they have no way of gettin to town because all them damn white people are taking my seat. So, they come up with this hairbrain scheme ignoring the fact that most of them are TOURISTS!!!! If all of our tourists were black, would there still have been complaints about available seats on buses?? By the way, you are living in “fantasy land” if you say yes.
I think your reaching a bit.
LOL
Well I call it like I see it. I have no problem with Lister listening to his voting base mind you and the PLP mantra has been “let’s inconvenience white people as much as possible”. No problem there either considering the past, BUT I do have a major problem when we are talking about tourists!! Today we made great strides towards making IB more comfortable but if they ever leave for whatever reason…LOOK OUT!!! If this is any measure of Bermudian hospitality then we are in HUGE trouble.
Maybe that is why Ewart had both ministries…
Both Minors and Lister have failed so they should resign.
thats like Jinx Darrell buying you lunch.
HILARIOUS!!! GOOD ONE!!!
As damaging as this shambles is, I cannot think of any reason for Minister Minors to resign. On the other hand Minister Lister should clean out his desk,and hand in his GP car tomorrow at 0900 hrs.
Should he fail to do so, Premier Cox should fire him immediately on her return!
I agree Lister is an idiot, he should be fired and get the hell out of politics .
I pretty sure both Ministries will come up with a solution. Minister Minors is a smart and practical person
I am sure they are. Bit late now. The damage is done and irreversable. Reality check please.
Lister should have consulted Minors, and the Premier. Point blank. I see no reason for Minors to resign. Lister def did on his own accord. Any smart person would have opposed this idea.
This is foolish.. look at the statement from yesterday: http://bernews.com/2011/04/usa-today-picks-up-cruisebus-story/
This is NOTHING new! The fact that this is being repeated in the echo chamber is damaging for Bermuda, especially given the fact that it is being blown way out of proportion by the press
Exactly how has it been “blown way out of proportion” by the RG? What part of the story is false? What part of Minister Lister’s plans to control the number of tourists getting on the buses was exaggerated?
Preto, This IS new news. The minister said the stuff about limiting the number of tourists on buses 3 days ago; it was reported in the Bermuda press 2 days ago; then was reported in USA Today yesterday.
And today, in response to the complete media mess that they have created, Lister and Minors are going to have to try to come up with a plan to reduce the damage caused by their hapless and thoughtless actions this week. It isn’t ‘blown out of proportion’. It’s just reported here that a major US newspaper has reported the story. I know you and the PLP like the idea of controlling the free press, but luckily you can’t.
Let me guess Preto – was this another UBP plot?
The Bermuda tourist board are having a retreat….. at the South Princess to discuss what the hell they can do about our deplorable situation regarding tourism !!!!! who is paying for this ? could they have met at one of their homes ? or on the beach, I can only say how come we can come up with money for this retreat….and not be able to pay overtime for the buses??
Preto Plato, Are you feeling well? There is nothing foolish about this matter! Blaming it on the press is old hat, even by your standards!
Are you still singing for your supper?
Really Mr. Lister should resign from Minister of Transport due to the irreversible damage caused by his remarks on the bus situation. The fact that it has reach beyond our shores in the very early stages of our 2011 tourism season is a damn shame and he should be held accountable for the comments that he made which had a very negative effect on our already slim to none image as a destination of choice.
Can we wake up and realise the days of thinking we are an affluent country are over???? People, we are a broke country!!!! {Real talk} So let’s start acting like other caribbean islands that have less but offer more by catering to their visitors because they are well aware of how much their spending ($$) helps their country’s economy. There is no shame in networking with other destinations similar to us and find out what they are doing well and how we may be able to implement similiar ideas/initiatives that can/will work for us. Why are we still trying to reinvent the wheel with triangles.
I am well aware that the previous Premier is responsible for creating the hole in our ship, but the government of the day is making the hole alot bigger and we are sinking fast in all areas of major concern. We need more than Prayer, we need some real action in the right direction. ie. do the opposite of what you have been doing SMDH
Yup… Close de Barn door after de horse already done got out….
*smh*……sooooo Stupid :/
Actually (I take that back), we do need to Pray heavily to our (your) LORD & SAVIOUR for our leaders, that HE will tap into their psyche to enable them to do the right thing for the PEOPLE of BERMUDA in which they serve.
It’s a damn shame what’s happened to my country (which was once my refuge) in the last 15 years. The leaders of this island surely have lacked rectitude. That’s a shame in of its self due to the fact we have more churches per sq miles than anywhere else in the world!
This is sad. You got one minister saying sick leave is the problem, the BIU president saying its the minister’s fault why, and now the tourism minister trying to clean up the mess. I for one never believed the minister on his reasons for cutting the service cause every time this issue came up he would always change his answer. It was never really clear (and still is) the reason why this has happend to our transportation system. How can these ppl play with our lives and money like this. It really is sad, and to think Lister wanted to become premier even scared me more. I am 25yrs old and a black young man and honestly I have no confidence in our current government or even the opposition. It seems to me they all have their own motives as to why they want to get into power. PLP has forgotten that it was the ppl who put them in power and they serve us not we serve them and until they realize this we are going to have one heck of a roller coaster ride.
Boy oh boy….looks like the bad old days of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport weren’t so bad after all. If Lister and Minors weren’t so busy falling over each other to take credit for Ewart’s work (AirTran, duty free shop at Dockyard for example)they’d have time to actually realize just what they should be discussing. The division of this ministry took us back a decade. More resetting of the dial. What a joke.
This catch up is too late. Tourism will continue its downward spiral.Time to fire the bus drivers and hire the many people who are willing to work. These poorly educated Government Ministers need someone to advise them about re-establishing a full ferry service. They do not appear to have the brain power to do it themselves.
“Hello!…left hand over there…this is the right hand calling. Do you have the slightest clue of what you are doing?”
Typical of this Government. Nobody has a clue. Nobody has run a business before so nobody knows how to manage. You voters asked for them. You asked for them not once but three times. Look in the mirror & blame yourselves.
You got what you asked for.
Even if you voted in a bunch of competent people next week it will take many decades to recover what Brown & the current Cabinet screwed up in just as few years of inept squander.
SOLUTION:
APRIL – AUGUST: BUS and Ferry run on normal schedule! SEPTEMBER TO MARCH run on a scale down sechudule: it is not rocket science MINISTER ! that how you save money!
Maybe be better instead of giving cash to folks for bringing tourists here give it to the transport workers to show up for work makes sense
That why both ministry should be run by one minister, Dr. Brown had it right!
Yah Right… Dr. Brown is the reason why our economy is the way it is right now… Or maybe I should put the blame solely on the PLP.
Brown is down in da islands sipping on cocktails and sitting back saying to himself look @ those fools……………In bermuda LMAO
Ewart is an idiot
Your too kind …
Its too bad ALL you C*A*K*R* have nothing positive to say. You find fault in everything the PLP has done, even when your W*I*E pockets were getting fatter with all the GREEN.
One thing that is VERY consistent about YOU ALL, is the amount of BS and Scaremongering that you promote.
If you DON’T like Bermuda, why don’t you leave, just like the thousand’s of your people who packed up and left after the UBP lost the election to the PLP.
that’s right i forgot, the few that did leave, found their way back.
Ain’t that some S***
We have nothing positive to say? Most defiantly correct, when you ( its me ) can tell me what the PLP has done positve things for this island, I will say, furthermore, the people of Bermuda will say and compliment the PLP on their services. “even when your W*I*E pockets were getting fatter with all the GREEN,” What are you talking about?
The amount of BS and scaremongering we do, what exactly are you talking about? Do you have any evidence to back up your claims?
PLP have ruined Bermuda.
*** I forgot to add.
A lot of people who leave comments on sites like these, are not even Bermudian and have NO say what so ever in the day to day running of the country.
What’s really funny is that, these same people ( NON-BERMUDIAN ) who have nothing positive to say, REFUSE to leave BERMUDA and go the HELL back HOME.
Take ya snotty, silly wise cracks back to the other side of the POND, where you would be considered NOTHING.
I wonder whats keeping you here.
Must be ALL the $$$$ that ya BROKE, STUPID ASS** would never make, back in your HOME COUNTRY.
Do you notice the KEY word here.
Since you DON’T like the way the PLP is running the country, pack ya suitcases and GO BACK wherever ya ASS** are from.
Trust me, no-one would miss you.
Vance, that you?
Bermudian here. So why don’t you ‘go the hell back home’ or whatever lovely phrase you want to use. Trust me, no one owuld miss you. idiot.
I am home and I would not miss you if you decided to go to an all b*a*k country thats for sure.
LOL WTF scared to spell it out you a B*t** P*n*k
You forgot to memtion the many people that LOVE Africa, Why not go on back? Think you’ll be missed, our Bermuda sure as hell won’t miss you ruining it.
*** sandgrownan ***
NO its me HITLER, don’t you remember when we used to shoot together
*** studying in the south ***
Didn’t think i had to mention Africa, because i don’t hear too many black people whining and complaining.
Maybe you should take up a HISTORY class whilst studying down south, that is of course, if you can see OVER the racist confederate flag swinging in the wind on your porch.
Remember it was YOU who sailed to Africa and STOLE the black man away from his family on your trips to the new world.
Remember it was YOU who discovered America, but don’t forget about the Indinas who greeted you upon your arrival.
Remember it was YOU who put people in chains and prison camps, killing them by the thousands, with your Blonde hair and Blue eyes.
So PLEASE spare me your lil wise cracks.
and while you down the SOUTH STUDYING maybe you should check your family tree, i would bet you have a lil BLACK in you.
And if you haven’t heard: ” Once you go BLACK, you’ll NEVER go back ” & ” The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice “
Why is it that EVERY conversation about ANY issue in Bermuda always comes down to Race/ colour.
This is probably an issue Bermuda needs to deal with! Being stuck in a time warp … Get over peddy issues like race and come together to make changes to the country for the BETTER not for the worse! And the way its looking… it’s a downward spiral .. Pissing of Expats now Tourist… what’s next??
It was whom, that stole you from your families in Africa? I believe in every history class I have taken that it has been factual that there own people, in there own tribes captured them and sold them! Learn a little!
And to do with the confederate flag, yea it is swinging in high in the wind,below our Bermudian Flag and it says Heritage not Hate. Typical accusation of the black Bermudian, take everything you can, while you can, cause once the PLP is out and the youth of this ” Nation ” as we so call it now, are actually educated. They will not fall demise to the same topics in history that have no relativity to the current topic we are discussing, simply to play the race card.
No black in this blood line, but if there was what difference would it make? I am a Bermudian and a loyal one at that.
And your sweet lullaby, does not take presence in our ” lovely ” island anymore.
Your argument is a joke and would not stand one minute if our country was educated. You use false claims and arguments to lighten the load on bigger problems that we as a country should sort out. Why play the race game? It’s not in the slightest relevant to what we are discussing. I
** crazytalk **
I am 100% BERMUDIAN and ain’t going anywhere anytime soon, if your comment was directed at me.
and between US, i am 100% WHITE
ain’t that some SH*T
Yes, my comment was directed at you. You were alleging, falsely, that most comments you disagreed with were put on here by non-Bermudians, who, as you put it, ‘have no say’.
I think you’d be surprised.
Anywyay, we disagree on a lot of things, apparently. I for one think that non-Bermudians probably do have an opinion about what goes on here, and should be able to express it without xenophobic morons trying to stop them by threatening their work permits etc.
Do you want to really know the answer
The problem is the majority of WHITE people are afraid when they are not in charge, especially when thet have to answer to another race especially BLACK people.
For yrs WHITE people have used FEAR and HATRED to keep themselves in POWER and in CONTROL. As soon as they begin to lose their POWER, they try and use race as their survival tool.
It worked for yrs, when BLACKS and others where uneducated and didn’t know better.
The poor Indians in the New World
The poor Blacks from Africa
The poor people from the Middle East
and the list goes on and on and on.
Look at what Donald Trump is doing in the US. President Obama didnt create the US mess, it was a WHITE Republican named George W. Bush, and yet Mr Trump and other republicans will try and persuade the American public that it was under President Obama watch.
The sooner, White people get over their fears, the sooner we can move on.
Remember, it has been recorded all over the world throughout time, that the WHITE man has done more atrocities to EVERY other race to gain their POWER and control.
If you have a different answer, please share it with me.
No, we’re just p*ssed the buses and ferries aren’t running as a direct result of PLP incompetence.
If you want to constantly shift the focus of the discussion away from the matter at hand, then it’s your perogative. You are just avoiding the issue. It’s not about black or white, or power, or historical analysis or anything else. It’s the simple fact that the PLP inherited a healthy economy, admittedly not everything was utopian but the opportunity that was presented to them was squandered. I remember the Col petulantly stating “we won’t drive IB away”. Here we are, 13 years later, in debt we can ill-afford, IB walking away and the buses don’t run.
It’s about incompetence in government. Go ahead and call me a cracker, but everytime you do, you display exactly the same kind of intellect evident in the current government. They should all hang their heads in shame.
You don’t know much about history before slavery do you? Ever heard of the Cursads, how it was caused and who started it. Ever heard of the 100 virgin scrifice, the occupation of Portugal, Spain and some of France. How bout how the Egyptions use to carry on enslaving people to die bulding shit and killing the first born sons. If you are in fact white you must hate yourself why don’t you make repatrations for your races crimes. I just think your a liar tryin to get some laughs in the end people seeing you act like you are are ……………………
LOL ing at you son………lolol
** sandgrownan **
Yes i would be pissed too. It hasn’t been a bed of roses for 13yrs, but i think you need to share some of the blame. For everytime the PLP tried to pass or legislate something foe the majority, it was shot down.
I am not trying to shift focus from the matter at hand, but to go forward, unfortunately we must not forget our past.
I am guessing, that you would expect a group of people who have been treated like doormats, to forget about what ws done to them and just hold hands with you and sing ” Let’s be friends ”
I notice you mention Col Burch and the work permits. Last time I checked, work permits were color blind, but were there to PROTECT EVERY Bermudian, who was qualified to work in any given field.
But once again, you have it twisted.
It wasn’t the BLACKS who bought in cheap labor from overseas to work as nannies, gardners and waitors ( just to name a few ), which over time has seen less Bermudians in these jobs.
It wasn’t the BLACKS who housed these same people in small cramped living accomodations.
If you have ever read any of my comments prior, i am not 100% happy with the current situation in Bermuda, but the PLP is damned if they do and damned if they didnt.
If 13yrs ago, the PLP did absoultly nothing: didnt purchase the fast ferries, didnt build the Berkeley Institute, didnt build the wharf for mega-cruise ships up Dockyard, what would be the headlines.
Progress comes at a price, and i am pleased with the progress made over the past 13yrs.
I only call it as i see it. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, than dammit it must be a duck.
When ALL Bermudians are serious about getting Bermuda to a point for ALL to enjoy for years to come, drop me a line and i’ll be there front and centre.
I’ll be the one with the ITS ME T-Shirt.
i have a question for you.
Why is it, that you haven’t heard a word from the original 40 thieves or a certain segment of the comunity?
mmm…didn’t mention permits…but never mind…
Marginally interesting, but not relevant to the performance of the PLP in government. You talk about progress. How is increased violence, increased unemployment, high debt, broken buses/ferries considered progress? You are pleased with that?
Even in Mussolini’s Italy the trains ran on time.
Yes and thats what happens, we the people, elect a party; and if that party does not work to their full potential and only address certain matters that pertain only to them, in order to make it what they want, thats when we call an election. That’s why “the spotlight” is on the PLP, not because it consists of majority black. And until you can notice that it’s not about race, this island will never be a nation as a whole.
It’s me, so the whites have never been slaves in history? Is that the point your trying to get across? Because if so, check the books buddy, white slaves in early america? White slaves in North Africa?
It’s happened to every race in history, each race has experienced it in history, yet your the only ones still who relish it. Just saying, majority of the island is black and I wouldn’t say the majority but some, still act like they themselves went through slavery. Time to move on, we can read about it in our text books and remember the unfortunate that have been through it.
Yea it was not the Blacks, it was not the whites, it was Bermuda. sorry we as a country cannot fill the jobs, that are being worked by foreigners.
” It wasn’t the BLACKS who housed these same people in small cramped living accomodations.” How can you even complain about this statement? “Who housed” we put a roof over peoples head who are less fortunate and still get torn apart for it. Ridiculous.
Fast ferries= waste of money. Berkely Institute= waste of money. Mega crusie ship dock= waste of money. the only thing productive the PLP has done, is make 2 day trash collections.
I think everyone is serious but people like you! I actually think you like it the way it is, you bring p the worst of the past and love hating white people.
You may be there front and centre but i guarantee there will be no smile on your face. And i say that with no bad intentions but by looking at what you write about i can tell you like whats going on, you unlettered, incompetent soul.
Check this out drop the overtime ban on transport until the season is over. All lister is doing is speaking in tongues. Govt cut the services not the bus and ferry operators all brains and no common sense. Patrice talk some sense to the man if you can.
** sandgrownan **
Work permit is a generic term for a legal authorization which allows a person to take employment. It is most often used in reference to instances where a person is given permission to work in a country where one does not hold citizenship.
I haven’t read anywhere about entitlement.
So i am not understanding your point.
** Studying in the South **
judging by your statements about bringing in cheap labor, and cramming them in small housing – you are ok wih this
Well believe it or not, most of the civilized world calls this modern day slavery.
So i take it, once again you are fine with being a SLAVE MASTER
as i stated way earlier, the more things change – the more they stay the same
Judging by my statement you could of concluded two things. Your assumption does not justify what I believe. I believe in filling jobs that are not filled by Bermudians because the effects of not having workers fill these jobs would coincidently harm our economy. The market we are in, or supposedly in, ” Tourism” subsequently needs the positions of “gardners and waitors”(etc) in order to strive and in any means i am willing to fill these positions in the most efficient way possible, ha-ha i am not running a slave trade here. Therefore, I agree with foreigners working these jobs. The only reason foreigners are filling these positions is because themselves are fine with the housing and pay that they receive. I no means would i ever approve slavery. It is only slavery when the “slaves” are being forced to work. I do not think you appropriately understood my argument.
** Studying in the South **
As for your refernce to whites enslaving whites, that doesnt even deserve a dignified response from me.
you really ought to be ashamed of yourself for trying to compare what WHITES have done to other races, in comparision to what whites did to whites.
I was hoping for an intelligent conversation, but your are trying to belittle history with your sentiments.
** Studying in the South **
Are you kidding. So its ok to import cheap labor and displace Bermudians? Is that what you are saying? The Hospitality industry which is one our bermuda’s main industries, is suffering for many reasons. Too many to list here.
But how can you justify that bringing in someone to work for 1/3 or even 1/2 of what you would be paying a Bermudian is worth it to the industry.
Not sure if you have noticed, but that same cheap labor is now in almost every sector of the working force.
Yes, i know that every company is in business to make a profit, but there has to be some balance.
There is no way that i am comparing whats happening in Bermuda right now, to this conversation, but i am sure that you have to agree, that it plays a part, no matter how big or small.
For EVERY Bermudian that is replaced by a cheap/ foreign worker, thats more strain put on the Government to assisit that Bermudian until they can rightfully so get back on their feet.
Whether you choose to agree or not, for every work permit handed out for non- essential jobs, thats ONE less job that a Bermudian could potentially hold.
If my memory serves me correct, was there not an article in the RG of a couple who had bought in a foreign worker to be the nanny, housekeeper and every other job they could find, making her sleep on the couch etc.. etc.. etc..
Like i said, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for trying to belittle slavery
First off i never said to ” replace ” Bermudians, I stated, “I believe in filling jobs that are not filled by Bermudians.” So once again, you made false claims. If Bermudians would fill the jobs, and work well, I would see no point in importing cheap labor. Hate to be the one to tell you, but before we know it, the joke of a tourism industry we have now,will be gone if we continue to go the way we are steadily going. If we had Bermudians working these jobs, we would not have these problems. I am not 100% sure on this but am i correct to say that if a Bermudian holds the same qualifications as a Foreigner with the job the Bermudian is looking to get, that the Bermudian holds president over the Foreigner once their permit is up.
In no means was i trying to ” belittle slavery”, i was simply concluding that its people like you who hold grudges against whites like me, for something I did not commit (slavery), and inhibit Bermuda to move on as a United Bermuda.
Did you graduate high school? Your arguments and rhetoric lead me to believe otherwise. Are you referring to The Barbary pirates of North Africa, and how they enslaved there own race? If so, i was merely offering an example of a race harming there own, as the Africans captured and sold there own tribesmen, to be sold in the United States of America. Yet you still assume that I compared, “what WHITES have done to other races, in comparision to what whites did to whites.” No where in my statement did this occur, but if you’d like me to touch on that I will happily do so. I do not think that all whites portray the same thoughts on slavery and I do not think that you can compare white people today, to what whites have done in history. I would call that profiling. And it seems, from your statement that, is how you feel.
Yup i graduated from Warwick Academy, under Dr Marshall.
Any other Dumb ass questions
Yea I have one, When are you and your buddy Dr.Brown going to your next Black panther meeting?
When we round up some CRACKERS for tea time
FYI – I received my Masters whilst Studying in the South from Cracker University,
maybe its close to where you live, its on Redneck Avenue.
Shouldn’t be too hard to find, I am sure its a gated community, where you’ll find cheap labor mowing the grass and cutting the trees. Maybe a few minorities washing windows and serving mid afternoon tea.
Who knows they might even be a few pushing ya lil babies around, whilst you sit in your boardroomm.
Get used to the view
Ministers Minors and Wilson are hot, keep them and boot the rest!