AC Transportation Plan: Ferries, Parking & More
The America’s Cup Village opens to the public on Friday May 26th for the first Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifier races and a Bermuda-themed Opening Ceremony.
“A detailed transportation plan has been developed with the help of Marine & Ports and other government agencies to ensure that thousands of spectators can travel to the America’s Cup Village easily and efficiently,” the ACBDA said.
Dedicated America’s Cup Village Ferry
“Spectators are encouraged to travel to the America’s Cup Village by ferry. This will reduce the volume of traffic and possible congestion on the roads in the west end. It is also a faster, more convenient way for spectators to travel. Travel by dedicated America’s Cup Village ferry is $5 each way per adult and $2.50 per child.
“Dedicated ferries will run direct from Hamilton to the America’s Cup Village dock daily, and dedicated America’s Cup ferries are scheduled from St. George’s to Dockyard on weekends. These can be booked online here from May 1st.
Public transport and motorbikes
“Other preferred travel options are public bus, public ferry, taxi or motorbikes. These vehicles all have access to Dockyard as normal. Those arriving at Dockyard by public ferry will have the option to ride a free shuttle train from in front of the Clocktower Mall to the America’s Cup Village or they can walk from the Dockyard ferry terminal to the America’s Cup Village.
“Locals are encouraged to ride their motorbike to the event as bike parking is free and there’s plenty of it close to the America’s Cup Village entrance. Helmets should be stored on the bike as they cannot be taken into the event.
Private cars
“Due to restricted parking availability in Dockyard, there will be restricted access for private cars to Dockyard on America’s Cup race days between 10.30am and 4.00pm [2.00pm to 8.00pm on May 26th, the first day of racing the night of the official Opening Ceremony].
“There will be a road checkpoint operating just after Boaz Island, at Greys Bridge, from 10.30am each day the America’s Cup Village is open*. This will only allow accredited and public service vehicles, including taxis, through to Dockyard, as well as all motorbikes and scooters.
“People booked on Spectator Boats leaving from Dockyard are advised to travel by ferry, bus, taxi or pre-arranged transport to Dockyard. They can also use the Park n Ride facility for the America’s Cup Village and take a free shuttle train to the Clocktower Mall in Dockyard. Spectator Boat passengers are advised to be at their assigned dock 30 minutes before their scheduled departure time.
“For spectators who choose to drive their car, large parking lots have been assigned and must be pre-booked online. A shuttle service will take spectators from the parking areas to the America’s Cup Village.
Park n Ride
“Parking lots have been arranged at:
- Boaz Island Sports Field
- Warren Simmons Field near Somerset Marketplace
- Somerset Primary
- Sandy’s Secondary School and
- West End Primary
“Organisers anticipate that not all parking areas will be required and will only be opened as needed. Boaz Island Sports Field will be the primary parking area and on high traffic days the other fields will be opened as needed.
“Motorists will book their Park n Ride online for $25 per car when booked in advance [$30/car if booked within 24 hours of use]. The online system will automatically book the closest available parking area. This includes all passengers and the return shuttle service to America’s Cup Village. Shuttle service is available from each area and runs on a 15-minute loop, either by ferry or minibus [includes accessibility]. From May 1st Park n Ride can be booked online here.
*The America’s Cup Village is open daily from May 26th to June 27th except for the following days when it will be closed: June 1st, June 5th, June 9th, June 14th, June 15th, June 16th, June 19th, June 22nd and June 23rd.
“Residents and businesses of Dockyard and Somerset will receive a letter from America’s Cup Bermuda [ACBDA], explaining how the transport plan and anticipated increase in traffic may impact them. Ongoing transportation information is always available here.”
Having been to the Olympics and other major international sporting events such as this in other countries the fees here are not unreasonable. I’ve seen worse. The reason they charge $25 is to deter the use of cars. Can you imagine the chaos in the west end if everyone came by car because it was free or affordable to park? It would be a nightmare. Stop complaining and deal with it people. Welcome to the world of international sport/events
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We GAVE $77-$100 Million to Billionaires to have a sailboat race, and we STILL have to pay.
Money don’t grow on trees.
We gave $1 million to Beyonce for an hour long show and still got no return on investment!
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I doubt we’ll break even on a return for AC so both PLP and OBA have useless investment ideas. Money that would have been better spent on university professors and building the infrastructure for a university in Bermuda which is much needed to compete in the global economy. It seems that all OBA and PLP know how to do is spend our money to impress others who could care less about Bermuda.
So true.
No money was given to billionaires. See where the monies were spent. It was ‘given’ to no one.
Stop with the alternative facts.
We pay taxes for buses and ferries and still have to pay to use those.
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– US$15m event fee to the America’s Cup Events Authority
– US$25m underwrite to cover any sponsorship shortfall by ACEA.
– US$14m for site preparation and infrastructure for docks and America’s Cup village
– US$11m operation expenses for the America’s Cup village.
– US$12m to cover transport costs, security, emergency services, insurances and legal bills.
Surely some of this went to billionaires.
Also investment in public transport is a necessity in any country to keep it operable. Investment in a rich man’s boat race is not and could very possibly put us more in the red just as it has done to other event holders in the past.
So if we did’nt GIVE to have Dockyard fixed up then the Billionaires would not bring their toys to play with.
We GAVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
$77 million was budgeted to get Dockyard ready for this event and has not been spent as yet, it will be paid to local contractors and businesses to get the site ready you Knuckle Head…
NOPE! WRONG! WRONG! WROOOONG!
$14m was budgeted to get Dockyard ready for the event.
– US$15m event fee to the America’s Cup Events Authority
– US$25m underwrite to cover any sponsorship shortfall by ACEA.
– US$14m for site preparation and infrastructure for docks and America’s Cup village
– US$11m operation expenses for the America’s Cup village.
– US$12m to cover transport costs, security, emergency services, insurances and legal bills.
So whose informing you with cost.
LMAO
God you are ignorant. Stop drinking the Onion Juice. You are probably one of the many crying that America’s Cup is not putting any money directly into your pocket! lol Cant see the huge positives this is having and will have on our tiny island we call home.
You are embarrassing yourself OJ but you do not realize it. On Bermuda’s behalf I apologize for OJ she is a very bitter lady.
“OJ she is a very bitter lady.”
That ain’t no lady, she’s a bitter old shrew
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Are the school fields only being used on the weekends for parking?!?
wow onion juice you really don’t have a clue do you?
Gotta give it to ACBDA, they certainly seem to have their stuff together. $25 for park AND ride for everyone in the vehicle does not seem unreasonable at all. Expect to pay $5 for parking at things like US state fairs. No shuttle. The money usually goes to organisations like scouting.
No helmets in the village? Nuisance to carry anyway. I see an opportunity for a helmet check entrepreneur.
By time you pay AC for rights to set up, how much you gonna charge for holding a helmet to break even.
Mmmmmmmmm
Any “best” suggestions for those physically challenged?
Given the position of the 2 race courses published so far I have to wonder just how the ferry boats will be able to complete their runs.
As it stands the normal ferry boat track runs right through the race courses and the spectator fleet.
very good question whats the answer ACBDA i have to work and will not be driving from s point to there
Thanks for your question. The dedicated direct ferries go to a dock at the America’s Cup Village and are scheduled before and after the race. The last ferry to the AC Village will arrive about 45 minutes before race time and of course, several others before that. The full schedule will be available from May 1st when the booking link goes live. Spectators in boats will be marshalled into position around the course, also ensuring clear passage for the ferries.
It’s now May 2nd and the website still says “Coming Soon.” When will these be made available to buy online please?