Jonelle Christopher Appointed As DPT Director
Jonelle Christopher has been appointed as the Director of the Department of Public Transportation [DPT] for the Ministry of Transport.
A Government spokesperson said, “Today the Head of the Public Service, Cherie Whitter is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Jonelle Christopher as the Director of the Department of Public Transportation [DPT] for the Ministry of Transport.
“As the Director of DPT, Ms. Christopher will work under the policy direction of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Transport, and will be responsible for the management, operation, financial compliance, administration, policy development, and strategic direction of the Department.
“She has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Howard University and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University.
“Ms. Christopher has 18 years’ experience in labor relations, serving on the Bermuda Government Contract Negotiations Team for several years; performing the administrator role for the Bermuda Government Public Sector Negotiations Team; leading DPT cases in hearings and arbitrations; and functioning as the Management Co-Chair of the Joint Consultative Committee for the Bermuda Public Services Union and the Bermuda Industrial Union.
“Ms. Christopher joined the Government of Bermuda as the Manager, Promotional Services at the Department of Tourism [DOT] in July 2000. There she facilitated the Certified Blue Flag Taxi Program; represented Bermuda in overseas and local events; managed scholarships and sponsorships; and created and implemented unique visitor experiences for travel agents.
“After more than five years at the DOT she was seconded to the Public Transportation Board [PTB] in January 2006. By April that year, she became the Assistant Director, Operations, responsible for policy management; organizational structure and staffing; training and development; customer relations; and communications for commuter, charter, sightseeing and school transportation services.
“Ms. Christopher has served as the Acting Director at the Department of Parks, the Transport Control Department [TCD], and the Department of Public Transportation [DPT].
“Serving as the Acting Director of DPT since June 2022, Ms. Christopher oversaw the arrival of the Government’s first new electric buses, which landed Bermuda the Caribbean Renewal Energy Forum [CREF] Industry Award for Best E-Mobility Project in 2023. After receipt of 40 additional electric buses, DPT won the CREF Industry Award in 2024 for Phase II of the bus electrification project. DPT launched Shorelink, the new digital fare media system, on July 8, 2024, which earned the team the Bermuda Public Service Excellence Award for the implementation of the new digitized system.
“Ms. Christopher’s appointment took effect October 1, 2024.”
