Swan: Ferry Cuts Due To “Financial Indiscipline”
[Written by Kim.Swan, Leader of the Opposition] The PLP Government would have you believe that the cut in the ferry service is a consequence of the economic downturn resulting from the global recession.
But that is not the case!
The reason for the cut in ferry services is directly connected to the financial indiscipline and poor financial management by the PLP government over an extended period of time.
The buffers our country now need against the recession have been wasted away and the “cupboard is bare”. Such are the reasons why we have a billion dollar debt, suffered through the Heritage Wharf $30M extra; Port Royal Golf Course $14M renovation cost, Senior School project at Berkeley over by $60M); unethical behaviour by Cabinet Ministers and numerous untendered contracts; all questionable spending that adds up and influences what we are living today.
The chickens have now come home to roost!
The abrupt cut in ferry service not only illuminates the governments poor financial management but also highlights governments callous disregard for the basic needs of its citizens like getting to work on time.
In addition, the way in which these ad hoc decisions were introduced highlight a desperation previously uncommon in our beloved Bermuda. The ferry schedule debacle is the first new example of a how poor financial management has hurt Bermuda, more will come.
Government waste has caught up to us and is spilling over into our daily lives; harming staple services and jeopardising the quality of life that once set us apart form the rest of the world.
Whilst the government must now work with limited resources, the real challenge is how to discern between simply cutting dollars and axing needed services.
We in the United Bermuda Party disagree fundamentally with the approach taken by the PLP government as follows:-
- We view the morning ferry service as an essential and dependable means to get to work on time.
- We believe that a more sustainable path would be to encourage (not discourage) greater usage of the ferry service.
- We question whether government have properly explored all other options prior to slashing services.
- We can’t accept government’s excuse that fuel cost is the prime reason for the limiting service and point out that government surcharges and taxes are the main reason fuel cost is exorbitant in the first instance.
- There are alternative routing options available in Paget/Warwick and the opportunity in the east end for a temporary overnight berth options in St. George’s or St. David’s to prevent unnecessary empty runs.
Consider these points:
- Government Ferries were never operated to function with a mandate to be profitable. The logic to drastically cut services runs contrary to the thinking of socially progressive people towards public transportation and its social objective.
- We call into question the mindset behind cutting viable ferry routes at a time when Bermuda should be trying to encourage more people to use public transportation (ferries) and decrease the number of persons on our roads.
The Acting Transport Minister Michael Weeks repeated the slogan of the Premier/Finance Minister “do more with less” when the evidence revealed by numerous Auditor General reports are that the PLP government’s years of financial mismanagement clearly “did less with more” and NOW we the taxpayer are not only made to pay but also suffer the consequences.
Our overview of the ferry routes are as follows:
Orange Route -(East End Service)
The decision to cut the morning commuter service was a nonsense and government could have achieved savings in fuel by basing the ferry in St. George’s – thus negating the need of two empty trips between Hamilton and St. George’s.
Blue -(West-End)
The reduction of the late night service to Dockyard is a critical blow for Hamilton merchants with thousands of visitors in Dockyard on cruise ships. It denies visitors and workers the most efficient means to commute between to main economic ports.
Green Route -(Rockaway)
The reduction at this route is bizarre. Government has invested millions of dollars to get this service online and residents committed to the service. In addition, the decision is short sighted, with the substantial investment in the Port Royal Golf Course the Hamilton to Rockaway service was becoming a marketing tool for visitors to travel to our signature golf course.
Pink Route -(Paget/Warwick)
Paget route users were also “caught of guard” by the changes to the Paget (Pink Route) ferry service to Lower Ferry and Hodson Ferry stops were cut drastically.
An important consideration is to ensure the ferry service meets the need of the work commuter and travelling visitor.
One suggestion put forward, is as follows:
At least schedule one ferry service around 9.00 p.m. which would do the entire loop and accommodate Hinsons’ Island residents and Salt Kettle/ BLU/Belmont visitors and patrons.
In summary, we feel the Government is shooting from the hip and slashing dollars without proper consideration of the important services. This approach needs rethinking.
Government with the stroke of a pen have negated years of investment in ferries and their own work to lure people to use ferries as an alternative to our congested and dangerous roads.
The aim should be to provide proper transportation management which focuses on the best distribution of our working population, student population and also our tourists to the main economic hubs of Dockyard, Hamilton and St. George’s and ancillary docks.
Unfortunately, these decisions, which we will continue to feel the effects of, were caused by government and can best be described as socially insensitive and out of desperatio !
Here’s a cost cutter….how about the politiciaans turn in all of those GP cars we see on the streets on the weekends. We can sell them, saving money on fuel and, oh yea,those parking tickets too…
Good idea! Then government will save hundreds of thousands of dollars it costs to service, operate and insure the hundreds of GP cars that are on the road. Maybe a GP Ferry could be organized, regular schedule of course.
The PLP will sacrifice when pigs fly. I wonder if the UBP or BDA are willing to step forward and promise to do anything different if they won power?
Government obviously forgot that the reason there is a Paget Warwick ferry is there is no Harbour Road bus (for good reason). The ferry IS the bus.
In addition, they obviously thought that since they don’y work Saturdays – that its not a business day.
Brainless PLP again. Pathetic beyond belief.
Lastly, ferries are supposed to exist to cut down the amount of traffic heading to Hamilton. They are quite literally the last thing that should be cut.
Still nothing will get done cos Joe UMUM Bermudian is not upset enough – yet. Whenever there is a protest it is passed off as a few frustrated whites- because it is really.
So it willl be until Joe gets off his ass.
Mr. Swan,
I would like you to quantify the Government’s surcharges and taxes on fuel before you use that as an argument. There has been substantial evidence that shows that it is simply too expensive to run the fast ferry from St. George’s to Hamilton with low occupancy. I don’t get how everyone calls for spending cuts and then complains that they are being affected. Whilst I appreciate your commentary on this matter, I don’t have any faith that you or any of your UBP colleagues can do a better job as Transportation Minister nor do I think any of you fully understand the way fuel is taxed in Bermuda and who benefits from it. Please provide more monetary and fuel use figures next time.
P.A.T.I.
“It is simply too expensive. Faith. Evidence. Fully understand. Some choice words there Sir, I’m sure you are not within the PLP.
@War on Information. Ferries and buses are PUBLIC services. They are not expected to run at a profit. They are paid for and subsidised by the taxpayer. Using your argument, cutting the ferry should also mean cutting the staff, but that isn’t happening. You and I are taxpayers so we are now receiving less services for the same taxes. You’re OK with that?
Yo “War”…..get real. Your spinning. I don’t give a crap if one person use’s the route. The Coxwain and deckhands still get paid regardless if all they do is play cards all day………
Now your gonna put the blame on fuel.
Someone please alert the public where the life jackets are and inform the US Coast Guard. To hell with a Tsunami……………………..
Here’s some more cost cutting ideas for the transport minister. Some of the flights into Bermuda are almost empty just like the ferries, maybe we could get the airlines to cut their routes down in order to save on airport staff. A GOOD COST CUTTING ON FUEL FOR THEM.
Whether the headline reads ‘Ferry schedule cut’ or ‘Government overspent to run ferries’ you losers will still find something suspicious. Terry are you unemployed or do you spend all day writing BS for a living?
@ War….if you think my writings are bullcrap then your web will be bigger by your spinning.
And yes I am unemployed. I am a bum with lots of money. As for being a loser far off the mark there ‘War’. Read what I wrote. I am not suspicious at all but maybe that was not addressed too me. The fact is, if three people ride a ferry at 1$ each/each way (as an exemple) were still paying 4-6 people $1000 bucks a week for not doing anything. Don’s you get it……..and the rest ($)
Not a soul has lost a job-Health insurance- yet people can’t use public transport…………………………….what are these guys doing. Sweeping streets, chipping and painting at $25 an hour plus?
Irony is Mr./Mrs War you may win this battle but not the “War” becuase it’s not about you as you think it is.
@terry the people working the ferry work a job the same way every other job with peoples live in their hand work. 1.)as the ferry is in route everybodys job in not in use. the people responsible for docking the boat is for arriving and departing and has a key moment at its time its the high and low addreniline line. just like when pilots fly they put the plane on auto pilot then according to what u said next thing u might say no need for pilots well they have ho take off and land the plane which is the most dangerous parts.firefighters on way to a fire only person doing something at that point are the 2 people in the front seat so in your opinion who needs the four or five people in the back.a paramedic does nothing on their way to a call but sit in the backseat of an ambulance but once they get there its non stop to the hospital. those fall under jobs where other peoples lives are in their hands.If God forbid one of those ferries go down those people u say only play cards know what to do to get all the panicing people back to shore alive. its a different angle watching something than it is doing something
that is such a horrendous argument. There is such a huge difference between working and “being in transit”, as opposed to just sitting in the office. my goodness you are grasping at air on this one.
he is not talking about people playing cards in between stops.. he’s talking about the people that arent even on a ferry, because the ferry isnt running…. he’s talking about the people that SHOULD be on a ferry in transit, but are instead sitting off while still clocked in….how mindless are you?
When the going gets tough and the water is rough it’s time for the masses to say , enough is enough ? What next to cut ,or for that matter to tax ? What to keep , what to ax ?
Slowly ,surely our lifestyles eroding , the image is corroding ,business in stagnation I say its’ time for the leaders to Face the Nation and Shut The Front Door….
Only problem is ‘nation’, they can face the nation, shut the door but when it slams em in the ass, the slammer will vote them back in.
The government does not pay tax on the fuel they use. It is all duty free, that is a lame excuse.
James, what fuel does Government use. I would like to know.
The less fuel, the less expenditure, So no fuel…..I need a rum…
It’s de YooBee Pee’s fault. Gatt owar it………………
blame mass mismangerment,corruption and blatant HIGH lavish living on Brown now its the dumb,dumber,and dumbest ppl of BDA for allowing him to do it with any objection or outcry..this will get WORSE! cause it’s the same incompetent team in power.