Today’s Bus Route Cancellations: September 22
[Updated with PLP + Ministry's comment]
The Department of Public Transportation said they would like to advise the public of bus cancellations today [Sept 22], and provided a list of the cancelled routes.
The cancellations also occurred last week and yesterday, and in explaining why, a Transport Ministry spokesperson previously said, “The Department of Public Transportation went through a period where there was a huge spike in vehicles coming out of service for various reasons including accidents, tire changes and small electrical repairs. Their technical staff have made significant progress in returning buses to service and are confident that they will continue to lower the number of buses out of service.”
Bus Service Cancellations for today:
Update 4.35pm: The fact that the government is “sending out notices of numerous bus cancellations, is unacceptable and should not be tolerated by the public whose taxes go towards purchase and maintenance of the fleet,” Shadow Transport Minister, Lawrence Scott said today.
Mr Scott said, “Each day, we hear of these bus cancellations which wreak havoc for students, workers, and seniors alike. There are even reports of buses breaking down while in transit, and of buses not showing up to collect students from school.
“Today’s listing of cancelled buses affects students from Warwick Academy, Purvis Primary, and T.N. Tatem and numerous buses from Cedarbridge Academy. How are parents supposed to ensure their children get to their respective destinations?
“It is unacceptable that the general public should be held hostage by these issues. The Minister of Transport must speak to these issues and reassure the public that their transportation plans will not be compromised in this manner.
“Last March, we were told that cancellations were connected with budget cuts . What is it about now? Is it maintenance? Why haven’t the issue with maintenance and repairs on buses been addressed? Does this inspire confidence in the service under this Minister and the OBA?
“In addition to the security concerns and the lack of movement on installing cameras, when will the Minister and the OBA come clean about the true state of the fleet? Will the arrival of new buses solve the existing problems being experienced with transport?
“The Americas Cup series races next month, will put addition stress on the fleet. This doesn’t account for the regular commuter needs and the cruise passengers that will be at Dockyard during October.
“Is the Minister confident we won’t be embarrassed with cancellations, delays, roach infestations and break downs? If issues aren’t addressed what will be the state of the fleet next month during a very critical period?
“Minister Crockwell needs to answer these issues for the public benefit,” concluded Mr Scott.
Update 5.14pm: The Department of Public Transportation said they “would like to advise the public that as a result of a huge spike in vehicles coming out of service for various reasons including accidents, tire changes and small electrical repairs the Department of Public Transportation is currently experiencing some delays and cancellations of bus runs.
“Currently, DPT technicians are carrying out targeted repairs that will have the greatest impact on returning vehicles to service and a manufacturer technician will be arriving to assist with specialized repairs.
We apologize for the inconvenience this causes and we sincerely appreciate the public’s patience and understanding at this time.
“The DPT advises passengers to expect some delays and catch the first bus that comes along that will get them to their destination and not wait for a preferred route or bus operator, as some passengers have been known to do.”
So now they cancel the school services. How considerate.
I’m sorry but I don’t buy the reason given for the cancellations. The way I see it , if they were true and not fabricated the PTB would be able to state that repairs will take 2, 3, 4, 5 etc….days until things are back to normal and the public should make alternative arrangements. Furthermore, why are the notices always at peak hours?! Do they magically break down at the same time, and then get fixed by 6pm. If buses are broken why wouldn’t routes be affected throughout the evening. If that many buses are damaged or out of service wouldn’t at least some still be broken in the morning! Magically morning routes haven’t been affected, and then magically at 3pm thru rush hour, failures. Coincidence? I think not. I’m sorry but this just doesn’t sound right to me.
I just wish Gametime and Seahorses would let you place a bet on when the next “sudden” and “unexpected” bus cancellations would take place.
Anyone else smell the BS here!
30 bus cancellations between 3.30 and 6.12, that’s less than 3 hours, is not good. Is no-one to be held responsible?
Privatise, privatise, privatise.
Amazing isn’t it? All the buses start to break down at 3:30pm. You can almost set your watch by the breakdowns.
Only in Bermuda.
Why don’t the BIU, the leaders in labour relations, apply to take over the bus service! Surely, they can run a more efficient service! They have all the answers and march and strike because they don’t like the way everyone else is doing things! Show us how its done!
Why don’t we just cancel the bus service all together.
Jesus. Why is this problem so prolific?
It’s amongst their, (P.L.P. / B.I.U.)and others plans. The writing is on the wall
By the way, who is it that decides to cancel certain buses at certain time? It sure as hell can’t be Minister Crockwell
Therefore it appears to be another form of sabotage from the inside done by them that have the authority to cancel specific routes at certain times of the day for no-other reasons other than to cause havoc!
When PLP was in power it was ALWAYS the Ministers fault, UBP and their followers are PATHETIC.
Onion Juice has a very strong point. If the buck stopped at Dr. Brown during his time at the helm of Transport, it certainly does for Mr Mr. Crockwell now.
Welcome to the two Bermudas.
And being that he GAVE free will of tourism to the Hanbury & Dodwell gift club you would think he can focus on Transport.
Just PATHETIC.
On the upside we have America’s Cup.
So your trying to say all these buses just happened to break down all at the same time yet they were all running yesterday? So why aren’t these buses being serviced and maintained like they should be. Suddenly we are having regular bus cancellations last minute and this is the excuse.
From what I am hearing the real reason is that the PTB staff are mad about the reduction in overtime not being paid.
That is despite the fact that this was agreed to by the BTUC as a means to stave off the imposition of furlough days.
Well they cut the funds for overtime and spending money like drunken sailors on America’s Cup and BTA.
Mmmmm
Why do we have to pay overtime .
There appear to be a fair bit of buses in sorry shape of late. Went across a broken-down bus in Paget yesterday afternoon.
DPT needs to get this situation rectified asap.
Why the school buses though…..now the scramble to get the kids
The idea is probably to inconvenience the public with the hopes that the public will turn against the government and pressure them to make this problem go away. The government will then cave under pressure and give them what they want. However, the grim reality is that the people are aware of the many dirty tricks that the PTB and Union play in order to get what they want. Not necessarily what is right, but rather what they want even when they are wrong.
We remember how the union supported drivers/pilots that were found to be under the influence, drivers that refused to be tested, driver/pilots that have crashed ferry boats and buses (causing injury), cursed passengers and much more. You cried wolf, way to many times and unfortunately we have turned your backs on you. The sad thing is that there are many hard working and honest drivers that do not deserve the negative opinion that many now have of drivers because of the tactics and selfishness of a few.
So when does UBP get the blame like PLP got the blame when they were in power.
When they return to government.
this is absolutely ridiculous. especially the late notice.
Minister Crockwell needs to speak on this.
and the fact that many of these are school runs makes it even more despicable.
Ya boy’s racking up his sky mileage.
This is getting beyond a joke.
Privatize NOW
Do they honestly think we believe these are all mechanical problems. So what are the drivers after now. More money, more sick days? These people need to stop playing us for stupid.
The only positive out of this malarkey is that they are making the public aware of the cancellations prior !
It is ridiculous that Cedarbridge has over 5 cancellations yet Berkeley has none. In my opinion it would make sense to try to make it fare for both schools. It is always Cedarbridge buses that get cancelled!
I think Berkeley’s were cancelled yesterday – I cannot confirm but anecdotally I have heard.
Agree with you. Would make more sense to split the Berkeley buses with Cedarbridge.
Very ridiculous
I usually back Government when it comes to situations like this.
BERNEWS can only report on what info they get.
At times it has been the fault of Unions or something wildcat.
This makes no sense to me at all only because the Minister responsible has not come forward and stated the exact problem or were being misinformed and not by BERNEWS.
Time to kick some a** but lately it has been a ‘crock’.
Shalom.
I need a rum.
So when do you blame management, Fool.
It’s all managements fault cut off the head keep the workers they are the only ones working.
It would seem that there are plans afoot to privatize the bus service. Cancelling the public buses had little effect. Let us see what this new strategy brings.
Oh good. Light at the end of the tunnel.
Where do we go from here?
Is there a plan going forward to tackle these issues?
AC 2017 will be here before we know it
There won’t be a bus service by then…
Taxi drivers could use a boost. Somebody develop a UBER Taxi app for use in Bermuda. There are a lot of honest and hardworking people that could use the temporary work.
Totally agree!!!
The bus service has been at an all time low for some time. The ministers and management of PTB need to held accountable. Mechanics should be in shifts so there are longer hours to work. The mechanics take more breaks than they need to. When there’s overtime, do they actually work ? If it’s a parts issue, change the way parts are brought in. Why punish the kids. Who makes these decisions to cancel service ? What are our tax dollars paying for ?
It’s not the Government, and that’s the problem. The workers are unionised, so they can do as much or as little as they like, and there’s nothing the Government can do about it. The “workers” know this, so they do the bare minimum. As soon as the Government try to take positive action, boom, we have a strike on our hands.
Nothing will happen until someone dies when a poorly maintained bus ploughs into a bus stop full of school kids after its brakes have failed.
Someone needs to grow a pair.
“The fact that the government is “sending out notices of numerous bus cancellations, is unacceptable and should not be tolerated by the public whose taxes go towards purchase and maintenance of the fleet,” Shadow Transport Minister, Lawrence Scott said today.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH so this never happened under you lot’s watch?! You spent all our money to pay for maintenance!
Whether true or not but, it has been said, “Government can’t fire bus drivers…” Can anyone confirm?
This whole situation is Ridiculous n getting out of Hand n as a parent of a child who catches the Bus to school. Why do Our Children Have to Suffer?. Gov’t Step Up!!! why do we People who catch these dirty, stinky, Roach Infected Buses have to Suffer as well???? We Pay Your Taxes so where is Our Damn Tax payn money going? Cause it aint on going on these Buses every time you look a bus breaking down. Or Bus Drivers On Damn Strike n for wat more Money? Just Greedy all of them….. How about u try going on strike cause the buses are always breaking down, or cause the buses are so Damn dirty n Roach infected n u can’t work in those Conditions. How about that???!!!!! And 30 buses cancelled well how many buses do we have all together can u tell the public that?…… Bermuda can’t u see this Island looks like a Big Joke n a Big Disgrace n a Big Embarrassment!!!!!! Gov’t u should be so Embarrassed!!!!! #BermudiansRFedUp!!!!
Govt. At the moment cannot dictate to the people of Bermuda sooo I think instead of Bermudians being fed up…They are the ones who should be embarrassed by their fellow bermudians who are trying to make Bermuda fail….
Would you support privatization?
Don’t be fooled by this Union nonsense?? This EXACT same scenario was played by the unionized American Airlines workers a few years back!! All of a sudden for about a month their airplanes had an usually high amount of maintenance issues?? ( I actually twice in that month was put up in hotels because of flight cancellations in the US?? ) this is a copycat type of situation, there is more to this than what we are being told???
If the Minister of Trans&Tourism can’t be bothered , if Bill Hanbury stays silent , if the Premier doesn’t care , if the finance minister is aloof , if Micheal Fayhe doesn’t catch the bus , if MP Cannonier , MP Pettingal and the other OBA passengers have become acclimated to only traveling by private jet , then to the curb for the rest of us !
You really cant be as stupid as you sound, I guess next your’re gonna tell us that Elvis is still alive.
FIRE them ALL…how many unemployed drivers do we have in Bermuda again??!!
Ahh, you don’t want another 1981 do you?
Here’s a solution: Fire ALL these bus drivers, get rid of a government owned transportation system and let’s privatize.
We pay too much money to get on a bus everyday to be getting such terrible service in return. First the s****y conditions of the buses, then having to deal with these bus drivers and their nasty a$$ attitudes.
As long as this bus cancellation situation doesn’t in any way affect the AC up there in Dockyard , then the government doesn’t care and will resist getting involved .
Give the minibus operartors a year & they could completely replace PTB.
Public transport, land & water, is a very sick joke these days.
The SAGE commission made many recomendations to privatise many inefficient Government services.
OBA, get on with it. Stop trying to be nice at taxpayer expense to people who have no appreciation for what you are doing, never mind ever voting for you.
Agreed – the Government should look to supplementing the transport service with privately owned mini-buses. Perhaps those minibuses could be used for short runs where the passenger volume maybe lower e.g. Hamilton to Pond Hill, Hamilton to Spanish Point, St. George to St. Davids, or certain school bus runs, etc
Amen. The mini bus operators would be a cure for this problem. The real problem is that Gov. Needs the revenue from the buses which are not profitable , and simply hates to pay overtime. Somehow there is not a problem paying bonuses at the BTA.. Oops, I forgot, they are a Quango……sigh……..
Did you read what you wrote? Why would any Government want to retain the income from an unprofitable service?
Government WOULD have to subsidise any public transport operated by a private entity too. The thing is, a private entity will operate the service at a much lower overall cost & still earn a reasonable profit for itself.
It will not be interested if profit cannot be made. Government will want to keep the fares low therefore a sibsidy will be necessary.
The private operator will not have all of the overpaid, overbenefitted, underworked seat warmers at PTB. The private operator will not hire overpaid, overbenefitted, bad attitude drivers either.
If it is not profitable, then they are losing money on the buses.
Public transportation especially in remote areas isn’t likely to be profitable, which goes back to Triangle Drifter’s point regarding providing subsidies to any private operators.
For the good of the public, especially seniors and school children, it probably warrants looking into at the very least.
Reposted (somewhat):
It’s interesting how it’s now never the Minister’s fault when something goes wrong in the civil service to the OBA supporters. Yet in the PLP administration it was the fault of the Ministers, the civil service, the Unions…the whole nine as one entity. What is the MINISTER saying on this? Not PTB. And not the Transport Ministry. The Minister! If this is happening on a continuous basis where is the MINISTER? Too busy hiding behind the issues affecting people, forgetting that this affects tourists as well. I bet if some tourists started screaming loudly about it we will see some response at least to change, because after all the concentration is on the foreigner it seems, not our own. And how much is a Minister’s salary again? CABINET makes the decisions of the country – NOT civil servants. Civil servants enact on CABINET’S (i.e. the elected officials’) mandate, not the opposite way around. These bus cancellations affect the people. What is the MINISTER saying on this???
Two words – Banana Republic.
The unionized bus drivers won’t allow changes to schedule, so instead there are daily cancelations and reschedulings to force the needed changes. It’sthe only way Govt can improve service times. Thought this was obvious. PLP know this and are making a tempest in a tea cup for purely political reasons. Why else would they wait so long to whine about a “problem” that has been going on for years.
We all are good enough to give helpful advise on a situation that needs our help. You can look around and see all is not well in paradise, pointing fingers just for spite and for our own egos, does not change what is going on. It is time for all of us in Bermuda to come together and for the children. Give helpful advise. Because if we go down all of us to blame. Me, You, OBA, PLP, Bus drivers, UBP and the BIU. ( ONE BLOOD ) People. There is no excuses family. We Are All In It Together. Paddle or sink. I Love Bermuda.
“Stay tune” is what I’ve been told. Government well have a statement tonight…
“Buses off the road for tire changes.” Are you kidding me???? Mounted tires should be available, ready to be changed, at the depot.
So so disgusting! Yet government had the nerve and were able to raise the bus fare and yet the bus for so long have not even been running like they should way before they raised the prices #despicablethem