Good morning, all:

Since taking office as Transport Minister, I’ve heard from residents from Morgan’s Road, Cobbs Hill Road, Keith Hall Road, Cedar Hill, Harbour Road, and of course Hinson Island.

One person in particular, bothered me both day and night and that is the Member of Parliament for Constituency 25 Ianthia Simmons- Wade. She would not let me sleep. She would say Minister, we must find away. We cannot leave the residences to fend for themselves.

MP Simmons-Wade one request was what can be done to increase the service on the Pink Route.

We listen. We heard you, and now We are acting.

There are moments in life when you question if it’s the right thing to do. Should you be kind? Should you be selfless? Should you help?

The answer to me is always Yes.

George Bernard Shaw said:

“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live.”

The Ministry and the Department of Marine and Port Services have been working diligently to find a resolution and make the necessary service changes to assist the residents who rely on the Pink Route Ferry.

I am pleased to announce today, the Pink Route will have increased service and hours of operation to commence operations on March 6th, 2023. Currently, the schedule is commuter based and only provides services during the morning rush hour (three runs) and the afternoon rush hour (four runs) from Monday to Friday.

To accommodate the requests from the riding public, the new Pink Route Schedule will now include the following:

• Operate ten runs per day from Monday to Saturday

• Four runs have been added to cover late-morning to noonday

• The Saturday service was added at the request of the riding public

With The New Budget coming on Board the Ministry will add on Sundays, it will also review the demand to determine if additional runs will be added to the summer schedule.

As Minister of Transport, I know that access to public transportation is vital for our residents and visitors. We have listened and done the work needed to improve this route.

I am grateful to everyone who reached out to me with their concern, particularly the area MP, who has been persistent since day one.

I want to take this opportunity to highlight the crews who operate the Pink Route ferry. Many of them approached me advocating for their regular passengers. It is of mutual interest to the Marine and Port Services crew and people who rely on this service to increase operation.

Let me take this opportunity to remind residents that daily, the Marine and Port Services team provides our residents and visitors with safe and reliable ferry service. I am encouraging more residents to use the service and help us reduce road congestion.

As most ferry commuters will testify, it is one of the most relaxing ways to get to and from work and school.

Within the next two weeks, the new pink schedule will be published on the Departments of Marine and Ports website at marineandports.bm

Thank you, and now I will invite MP Simmons Wade to give remarks.