Video: Minister Lawrence Scott On Bus Situation
[Updated] Minister of Transport Lawrence Scott is holding a press conference this afternoon [Aug 17] to update the public regarding the bus service. We will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video is below.
A Government previously spokesperson said, “The public is advised that the Department of Public Transportation and the Bermuda Industrial Union met again this morning. The parties were not able to reach an agreement. The matter has been referred to the Minister of Labour. The Minister of Transport, the Hon Lawrence Scott, JP, MP, will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. today to update the public regarding the bus service.”
Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 26-minute replay is below
Update 3.33pm: Minister Scott said, “You would have heard in an earlier release that the dispute between the Department of Public Transportation [DPT] and the Bermuda Industrial Union over the bus roster.
“The parties met this morning and were unable to reach an agreement, and as a result, the disruption in the public bus service continues. The matter has been referred to the Minister of Labour.
“Yesterday, the BIU was informed that the government’s no work, no pay policy applies.
“Recently, I have noticed in social media the word privatisation has been used regarding the future of the DPT. I take this opportunity to assure you that privatisation is not on the table as far as the Ministry is concerned.
“It might be helpful for me to share my vision for the Department over the next year.
“DPT is responsible for moving Bermuda with a quality public bus service that is reliable and efficient. The continuation of the summer schedule allows the Department time to build up resources. This includes hiring additional Bus Operators and increasing the fleet size to a level that provides the Department with the ability to service the public bus runs, and dedicated school runs without incurring cancellations.
“Our goal is to achieve this level of service on or before September 2022.
“We are currently unable to achieve this goal due to the lack of resources. However, continuing in the summer schedule will allow the Department time to build the resources to a level that meets the requirements while simultaneously providing reliable service with little to no cancellations.
“The Ministry and the Department would focus their resources around the delivery of the public bus schedule. In order to achieve this, we will utilise the established and approved summer rosters which does not include school runs.
“The Ministry appreciates the continued public patience and will provide an update at 10:00 am tomorrow.”
Yo dude it was already destructed.
dreamboat
PRIVATISE THE BUS SERVICE NOW!!
You got to be kidding me to not consider this as the right way to go!! Our (non existing) public transport system sucks the big one. It spends more time off the road than on. The way I see it and most other logical minded taxpayers, Chris Furbutt and the BIU continue to sabortage any chance of recovery and growth by holding back our guests, seniors and our school kids from their preferred means of commuting around our 21 square mile Island.
Its time for the PLP and the BIU to get out of the bed they share and start looking at a viable means of out sourcing public transportation.
This is truly embarrassing.
Recyclables has been privatized for some time. Mine are collected on the allotted day every time, rain, shine, snow or whatever. It works. Now do the same for garbage, buses, W & E/Parks and Education as starters. Total win/win for the taxpayers and those who want to work.
The disruption to essential public transport service in this moment of Bermuda’s attempt to start an economic recovery makes no sense.
The impact of the lack of publicly paid transport service negatively affects working Bermudians trying to get to work on time and tourists who have come to enjoy our beautiful people and country, and assist the economic recovery.
The decision to strike rests with the leadership as the leadership’s responsibility is to give guidance as to ‘which way to go’ in the interests of the country in the moment.
The moment is the lingering coronavirus pandemic and how we Bermudians help, surely not hinder, our country’s economic recovery from the damage to livelihoods, busineeses, goverment finance and our general happiness.
It is upon BIU leadership to step up in this moment.
Clearly, they have the ‘hand’.
May they use it well.
Cahow
“essential public transport service”
If public transport were an “essential service”, like the Hamilton dock workers, the BIU would have to give 21 days’ notice of industrial action. Apparently public transport is not an ‘essential service”
At a time when our economy is struggling to get back on our feet this industrial action is selfish and egotistical. The people of Haiti struggling to stay alive having lost everything and we are complaining and stopping work over a bus schedule. Spoiled brats. Better hope that God teach us all a lesson.