Column: Cunningham On Ferry Service & More

[Opinion column written by OBA’s Victoria Cunningham]

For generations, Bermuda’s pink ferry route has been more than a scenic way to cross the harbour. It connects workers to their jobs, families to each other, and visitors to our communities and businesses. Yet today, that lifeline is fraying.

Since July 2025, weekend service has been discontinued, and weekday service reduced. At present, there are no ferries between noon and 4pm. Commuters and tourists have been told the suspension is “temporary” due to maintenance issues, yet the Government has not provided a timeline for full restoration.

The silence is as damaging as the suspension itself. Without reliable information, residents cannot plan commutes, businesses cannot forecast demand, and tourists are left with the impression that Bermuda cannot deliver the seamless experience we promise. For an island whose economy relies on tourism and international business, this lack of clarity should concern us all.

Public frustration is growing. A petition launched in early September calling to “Restore an Adequate Service on Bermuda’s Pink Ferry Route” has already gathered strong support. Signatories highlight the disruptions to daily commuting, the economic impact on local businesses, and environmental concerns caused by forcing commuters onto roads. This shows that the pink ferry route is not just a convenience, it is an essential part of life for residents and a key asset for Bermuda’s tourism product.

When transportation falters, the effects ripple across society. For many Bermudians, the ferry is not a luxury but the most affordable and efficient commute. With weekend service gone, families face costly alternatives, taxis, rental scooters, or multiple bus transfers. Workers spend more time and money, while businesses that rely on weekend visitors see foot traffic decline.

Tourists are also affected. The pink ferry route has long been a highlight for our visitors. Its absence sends the wrong message about our ability to support world-class infrastructure and is a reputational risk we cannot afford.

Then there is the environmental and infrastructure cost. Every commuter forced onto the road adds to congestion, emissions, and wear on roads already weakened by potholes. A service that could reduce traffic, pollution, and road damage is being neglected. It is ironic, and troubling, that a service which aligns perfectly with Bermuda’s sustainability goals continues to wither away.

The loss of weekend service did not happen in isolation. Over the years, the pink ferry schedule has slowly shrunk, eroding reliability and public trust. Even the Government has acknowledged the problem. In July, the Minister of Transport told the House that the ferries on the Paget and Warwick route, the Georgia, Corona, and Coralita, are 37 years old, well past their 30-year design life, highlighting the urgent need for targeted investment. What we do not see is follow-through.

Mechanical failures have repeatedly sidelined the ferries. By midsummer, the pink route had already been suspended four times this year. Riders have been left stranded, sometimes with no notice. Ferry crews have done their best, juggling parts and keeping hundreds of riders updated via WhatsApp, but they cannot perform miracles with outdated vessels and no backup boats.

In the same July statement, the Minister pledged that commuter service would resume on July 25, with weekend service suspended “for now.” Months later, the public is still waiting for clarity. Temporary suspensions that stretch indefinitely erode trust.

Reinstating full, reliable ferry service is not a matter of convenience; it is vital for economic stability, community well-being, and Bermuda’s international reputation. The Government must provide a clear timeline and interim measures to ease the burden on commuters and businesses.

Longer-term, Bermuda needs a genuine investment strategy to maintain and modernize the ferry fleet. Transportation is not a cost to cut, it is a backbone of opportunity, equity, and sustainability.

The people of Bermuda deserve better. The question now is whether our leaders will act with the urgency this situation demands.

- Victoria Cunningham, Opposition Senator, Spokesperson for Education, Health, Legal Affairs and Cabinet Office

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