This evening, the Minister of Transport, the Hon. Lawrence Scott, JP, MP, confirmed that Government had implemented a contingency plan to provide public transportation services.
Minister Scott said, “Although the Government supports labour, we must act to deliver expected public services while efforts continue towards resolving the current impasse. It is now nine consecutive days that the BIU work stoppage has inconvenienced the travelling public. These are trying times for everyone, and the added burden, not having transportation, adds additional stress and anxiety to those who rely on the public bus service.
“To alleviate the inconvenience caused by the withdrawal of labour, the Ministry has asked licensed minibuses to provide an alternative means of providing transportation. This public service is free of charge and will operate on the hour from 7 am to 7 pm on the core bus routes # 1, 3, 7, 8, 10 and 11. All minibuses will operate according to the Ministry of Health’s Guidance for Public Transportation.
“Minibuses will service the following core bus routes:
Route 1 – Hamilton to Grotto Bay
Route 3 – Hamilton to Grotto Bay
Route 7 – Hamilton to Somerset
Route 8 – Hamilton to Somerset
Route 10 – Hamilton to St. George’s
Route 11 – Hamilton to St. George’s
Additional route:
Loop – St. George’s Bus Depot to Great Head Park, St. David’s
Loop – Somerset Bus Depot to Clocktower Mall, Dockyard
Minister Scott concluded: “It is most unfortunate that we find ourselves at this point, but nine days into this dispute, we must act to help our residents who depend on public transportation to go about their day-to-day lives.”