OBA: ‘Alarming Number Of Bus Cancellations’
“From the alarming number of cancellations recently, it seems that a number of buses remain on life support,” Deputy OBA Leader Leah Scott said, noting that “so far this month there have been almost 400 bus route cancellations.”
Ms. Scott — the Shadow Minister of Tourism, Transport and Regulatory Affairs – said, “Bermuda’s ageing bus fleet continues to present challenges and frustrations for daily commuters.
“The PLP criticized the former OBA Government for not filling 14 mechanic positions, which, in the opinion of the now Government, caused the lack of sufficient buses being available to meet demand. Accordingly, the Government promised to acquire new buses and immediately fill six vacant maintenance positions.
“In January, the first of four new buses were landed on the docks, with a further three buses expected within four months. Transport Minister Walter Roban said: ‘In the weeks and months ahead, we anticipate a substantial improvement in the status quo.’ The Minister also said that the Government had taken steps to overhaul a number of the buses to breathe new life into them.
“But so far this month there have been almost 400 bus route cancellations, including an astounding 86 in one day. This is unacceptable. From the alarming number of cancellations recently, it seems that a number of buses remain on life support!
“With an increased bus fleet and new staff, why are there still so many bus cancellations? The existing bus schedule is 17 years old. Implementing a new bus schedule would enable effective deployment of the buses.
“Following discussions held between the Department of Public Transportation’s management team and the BIU leadership, circa 2014 to 2016, a new bus schedule was agreed. The proposed schedule would have required an overall bus fleet of about 90 buses.
“This would have then allowed for a rotational maintenance schedule which place about 66 roadworthy buses on the various bus routes each day. A new schedule would also have resulted in a massive reduction in driver overtime.
“The bus schedule is always subject to a vote by the Bus Operators and the Allied Workers Division. The proposed new schedule was rejected at a vote, although how that vote was taken is not known.
“In the March 2018 Budget Debate, in response to a question raised by the then Opposition Leader, Jeanne Atherden, regarding the new bus schedule, Minister Roban said ‘The [aforementioned] cancellations are a direct result of the lack of vehicles available to service the current schedule. A new bus schedule has been developed to meet the available resources and will allow the effective dissemination of information to the passengers. The new schedule has been crafted to streamline the service on routes that are used less frequently and to bolster the service in the areas of the Island that present the most demand. Once the consultation process involving the relevant stakeholders is complete’ the schedule will be implemented.’
“Minister Roban, during that same debate, stated that ‘The number of buses out of service each day plagued the department for 2017/18. But, with a multipronged approach of new and refurbished buses, staff training and recruitment, 2018/19 is anticipated to be a more successful year. Or, should I say, a better year, rather than ‘more successful,’ because last year was not successful. So I will change that to mean a better year.’
“We need a new bus schedule and a bus fleet that can effectively service our students, our ageing population, differently abled persons, and locals and visitors alike who find themselves stranded at night because there are no buses running. Therefore, I ask, what is the Government’s position on implementing a new bus schedule?”
Get em Leah!!!
Well PLP can use de $300 Million from America’s Cup.
Oh wait, That a projected figure that we’re hoping for in de near future.
Or de $10m it cost to give de civil service a raise! Where did that extra money come from? De Americas Cup!!
How many shots of titty milk you had today? Ha ha ha!!
De same place where OBA got de $77Million after SpongeBob told seniors money dont grow on trees
LMAO
Ya ya, detz why de pension system is bankrupt!!
Lots of apartments available to rent in Sandy’s. I wonder why? Titty milk and Bitcoin don’t pay de bills!! Ha ha ha!!
Too bad de Uighur money did not get distributed to de real Bermudians.
Oh u mean the 46 million there oj? Keep flingin out them random numbers bro. God u are entertaining if nothing else. U show the intelligence level of the average plp voter perfectly. Even when facts are slammed in your face you still spout off blatant lies to try and trump em. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Go lay down bie
No, only 90 of the 300mm is projected.
A Cup of Java ☕ 10/18
When you recognize that you encounter a problem, you make the necessary changes to fix it. Then, you will be able to get on the right track. It’s the small things that matter, at times. Don’t allow things to get out of control, before you address them. When you make minor adjustments, then you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Be observant. Be wise. Make a changes. Great things will start to happen. Have a THRIVING Thursday!
the oba spent the money for buses and trash trucks on the ac35
so take a break
Instead of buying new busses wif de money we made off of AC 35 ya boi Burt gave everyone a raise and a couple shots of titty milk!! Ha ha ha!!
The PLP spent money for buses on papa doc
No frank you take a break. Oba did not spend it. Burt and co did. How u think everyone miraculously got a raise huh? Cant buy new buses but can give ewart over a million of non existant maney. If brains were worth $ the entire gov would be in the poor house
Oh Leah.
Alarming? What an alarmist word?
what would Leah want done? After the OBA cut civil service hiring, and maintenance was left undone on many buses in the fleet for 5 years, wouldn’t the natural progression be that these buses might run into issues?
And if this was the OBA there would be marches by now …. double standards
Well why dont you march?
We’ve been marching for de last 60 years, its ya turn now.
You’re running out of retorts oj. And “watching” please stop trying to insinuate that the plp did ANY maintenance on buses for their entire previous tenure. Nice try tho.
I know right! Sponge Bob should have halved de civil service and bought new busses and trash trucks instead. Guy was dumb!!! Oh well, as ya former Premier said, do more wif less!! At least de titty milk is free!! Ha ha ha!!
Well PLP can use de $300 Million from America’s Cup.
Oh wait, That a projected figure that we’re hoping for in de near future.
Or the $1.2m to papa doc ….
Onion; shut up.
As for Watching that’s garbage and PLP propaganda as for cutting civil service hiring.
Nothing to do with maintenance and you know it.
More bu^^&&%t from the PLP.
Enjoy your final years.
RIP.
Ya, instead de Pee El Pee killed de momentum of de Americas Cup and focused on Bitcoin instead. Det dur has produced how many jowbs?!?! Oh well, at least de redemption farm will have cheap eggs and Caines will give out free titty milk!! Ha ha ha!!
In January, the first of four new buses were landed on the docks, with a further three buses expected within four months.
Roban. Where are those buses? Still being ‘prepared for the road’?
Hope everyone noted that on Tuesday this week there were 86 bus schedules cancelled.
So please inform us what the plan is when the 18,000 (yes eighteen thousand) cruise ship passengers are scheduled to arrive on October 31st.
They got rust ….
Leah, I don’t usually mind you as you usually have something constructive to add to the conversation but can you just be quiet on this one please?
Why is embarrassing you?
Busses don’t run on titty milk, inna?!?! Ha ha ha!!
Leah Scott must realize how ridiculous she sounds . The problems with the bus service were hugely exacerbated by the budget decisions of the OBA Govt . The OBA did an admirable job of shoring up the economy , but at significant social cost too .
Social cost?
Vats de social cost of de pee el pee’s sugar tax, increased social insurance, increased health insurance and de $1.2m payment to Dr Brown?!?!
Titty milk is free though, so give thanks!! Ha ha ha!!
What are these bus drivers doing when the buses are not running!!!!
The buses that are running are in such a filthy state that maybe these drivers could be deployed washing them
Unless I’m mistaken the PLP promised to “fix” things for “the people”. Criticisms have been invited.
Dey call in sick so their Bredran can get some OT on their day off!! Dey definitely don’t hop on de trash truck because my trash ain’t gettin picked up twice a week!! De titty milk is real!! Ha ha ha!!
For the people all right ….. the people being stranded again … great job new plp I hope the people of bermuda start standing for what’s right we put them there we can take them out . The people run the bda
where are our voices now . Sick and tired of promises.
oh poor Leah, remember good ole boy Fahy he Never spent a dime on buses or even parts ! those buses 14 series were ordered under the former PLP govt and they arrived when UBP/OBA was the govt….get your facts straight…. so Leah no tears for you .
So where are those buses that they said arrived in January?
They don’t seem to want to talk about that, for some reason.
How ya gonna buy busses when ya boi Burt gives Dr Brown $1.2m?! Titty milk math, inna?!?!
so if the PLP (which has been in Govt for 15 months now) bought new buses, where are they? and why haven’t they fixed the schedule?
This lady sounds desperate and ridiculous!
Whatever happened to the proposal for electric buses that was put worth? They cost less than their diesel counterparts, require little maintenance and they have air conditioning and WiFi. We need to get those on the road instead of these exhaust spewing, dirty buses.
the buses will breakdown more and more as the plp continue to forage the public purse for flights around the world the do nothing for the people of Bermuda and throw money away to a witch doctor.
OBA will stay the opposition
Both parties have tiptoed on the actual issue regarding the proposed bus schedule as a way to alleviate the problems with reliable public transport.
If the bus workers have rejected the schedule, then explain that aspect, explain their rationale for the rejections and call upon the relevant union heads to illustrate why.
Pointing fingers at one’s political opposite has had zero effect over the past decade plus.
Now your alarmed? Has your head been buried in the sand for the last year? Looks like you just want some headline time
PLP don’t care about buses!