‘Working Towards Resuming Service This Thurs’
[Updated] The public bus service remains suspended, the Ministry confirmed this morning [Dec 15].
On Friday, December 11th, the Ministry confirmed that bus service was “suspended until further notice,” explaining that a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
“Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of others, the decision has been made to suspend the public bus service until an assessment from the Ministry of Health is completed,” the Ministry said on Friday.
We asked the Ministry for an update this morning, and a spokesperson told Bernews, “the buses remain suspended and an update will be provided today.”
Update 6.45pm: The Department of Public Transportation said they are “working towards resuming service this week Thursday and will provide a further update tomorrow.”
A spokesperson said, “The Department of Public Transportation [DPT] wishes to advise the public that the bus service remains suspended pending advice from the Ministry of Health.
“The public is also advised, that the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit are finalising recommendations to DPT management, and the Occupational Safety and Health Committee to review and decide on the next steps.
“The Department of Health has completed a workplace risk assessment and the DPT management team is implementing a remedial action plan, including enhanced workplace protocols for distancing, hygiene, and mask-wearing – to prevent possible future disruptions of the bus service.
“The DPT recognises the inconvenience to the travelling public, however, to ensure the health and safety of others, suspending the bus service remains the best course of action at this time.
“As Bermuda experiences an increase in positive Covid-19 tests, we must all do our part as responsible citizens to prevent further spread of the virus in our community,” said the Minister of Transport Lawrence Scott.
“To that end, I am confident in the abilities of the Department of Public Transportation and the Ministry of Health teams, and I thank them as they go about executing their duties to ensure the bus service can safely resume.”
“I also want to remind and urge all public service vehicle [PSV] operators and the general public to adhere to the guidance provided by the Ministry of Health to help keep everyone, especially those most vulnerable persons in our community, safe.”
The Ministry added, “The Department of Public Transportation is working towards resuming service this week Thursday and will provide a further update tomorrow.”
Update Dec 16, 2.23pm: Extract of the Transport Minister answering a question about the bus service
This comes as Bermuda is experiencing a spike in confirmed cases, with the Government announcing yesterday that the island recorded 25 more confirmed positive Covid-19 results.
There have been over 12,000 tests done so far this month, with around 200 new positive cases announced, a graphic showing the date and amount of new positives announced is below.
As the island and world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are doing our best to provide timely and accurate information, and you can find more information on the links below.
- All: Our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic here
- Official: The Bermuda Government website here
- World Stats: Live graph of all cases worldwide here
- Bermuda Stats: Chart of the Bermuda stats here
- Timeline: Visual look at the timeline here
- Comprehensive: Our BermudaCovid.com website here
- Live Updates: Continuous updates of the latest news here.
This has to be the WORST run department in govt. and that’s sayin’ something….
It’s really unfair and nothing can justify that. I would like to think buses are safer than supermarkets for both customer and service provider.
You have to remember the supermarkets are not required by law to inform of an infected staff member
PRIVATIZE TRANSPORTATION AND BRING IN UBER.
Does anyone know if i can get a credit on my bus pass
So while workers in the private sector lose income when the Government shuts down their place of work, PTB workers enjoy a fully paid vacation. 2 Bermudas indeed.
and people who rely on buses to get to work get screwed
Can someone please advise how it is right to have $69 bus pass and have no transportation to get to work. Not everyone can afford a car, bike or alternatively wait at the bus stop in the hope that someone will give you a ride.
Exactly! Well put, not everyone can afford a car on the road. Prices too exorbitant. Even Some Gov’t workers depend on the bus. What now of my December bus pass?
Dontvworry when they finish there vacation, jet blue guy will have all the cancellations worked out, again minibus wins
This situation is out of the bus operators hands…how dear you mention they are on vacation…you really are disrespectful to this group of frontline workers…have you forgot they didn’t ask for the bus service to be shot down…get a life.
then why aren’t they back at work?
We all know the 3 letter ‘party’ who really runs this island. I’m sure the drivers have as little fear of contracting the “deadly” virus as the many grocery store workers who are at far greater risk. Just another excuse to get some paid leave for the people at PTB! Asta la vista Bermy!
So someone in the office gets COVID and all the frontline bus drivers shut down . All over the world bus drivers are having to deal with Covid-19. Here in Bermuda they go home on full pay . Taxi drivers don’t get paid , truck drivers don’t get paid if they don’t go to work because of COVID-19. When the Vacine gets here who do you think will be first in line ? You guessed it our bus driver s who at the first hint of community spread headed for their homes for paid vacation.
Poor little snowflakes. Will Marketplace shutdown all their stores if a warehouse person tests positive?
When the buses start running again, hopefully they will have open windows. Proper ventilation will save lives.
we can have planes flying in with covid cases but we cannot get a bus service up and running …. go figure
Too bad for all of us that depend on buses, PTB won’t give a refund for the December passes that were used. You have to by a January Pass on time and what about the credit from lost days without a bus during the bus shut down?
I want my credit. I take it , our system is way out of date. Baltimore, among other cities’ buses, even tells you what stop is next.
Nice when you are visiting and you ride a bus that is up to date. And……that you can depend on , time wise, or even showing up! Maybe someday we will get up to date and leave the ancient past behind.
Hopefully my bus will show up tomorrow……………….