West end commuters will be in for a bit of east bound public transportation relief this morning.
Starting today, June 6, 2016, “a select number of buses” bound for Hamilton on the Number 8 route, that previously departed from the Maritime Museum, “will now start their route at the Department of Public Transportation Depot in Dockyard (next to the Prisons Officers Recreation Club)”.
This after Transport Minister Michael Fahy received complaints lodged by west end commuters that there’s “not enough seats heading east on morning bus runs on the Number 8 route out of the Dockyard”.
“Cruise ship passengers have filled the seats on some morning buses leaving residents standing at bus stops, watching crowded buses pass them by,” said Senator Fahy.
“We have considered a number of suggestions and have decided to make a change to resolve the issue in the short term, while we contemplate long term solutions.”
Ministry officials engaged in advisory talks with technical teams, including the West End Development Corporation, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Department of Marine and Ports Services, and the Department of Public Transportation.
Buses designated on the new route will head east from Prison Officers Club Monday to Friday at 35 minutes past the hour from 9:35am, every hour through to 1:35pm.
“Only these buses will bypass the Visitors Information Centre to ensure adequate seating capacity for Bermudians,” said Senator Fahy.
“I certainly hope this rectifies the immediate problem for Bermuda’s west end commuters” he added. “I am advised that this will not impact cruise ship visitors in any appreciable way.”
By Ceola Wilson
