Minister Owen Darrell says ferry and bus services could be extended … but seeks proof of safety benefits and cites cost and the need for union consultation
Could extending public transportation later into the night improve road safety? If the answer is yes, Government will take a serious look.
That’s according to Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, Owen Darrell, who didn’t rule out the idea when questioned by Bermuda Broadcasting at a recent press conference.
During his remarks, he praised his Ministry’s collaboration with the Bermuda Road Safety Council in sponsoring ferry service from Hamilton to Dockyard for the Pastels party at the weekend.
“This initiative ensured that attendees had access to safe and reliable transport to and from the event, highlighting the importance of planning ahead and choosing responsible options when travelling to large gatherings,” Minister Darrell said. “It’s another example of the kind of practical, thoughtful action that helps prevent road incidents and supports safer choices.”
When asked by Bermuda Broadcasting whether his Ministry would consider expanding bus and ferry services on popular drinking nights such as Fridays and Saturdays, instead of for singular events, Minister Darrell responded:
“That’s a very interesting question, and it’s something that we are committed here at the Ministry of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport to look to see if we have the resources to do such. You would know that putting on additional ferries comes with an additional cost so that will be a discussion that has to be held around the Cabinet table if we can allocate funds to that.
“Obviously, we’re going to have to include our union partners and to see if we have the infrastructure that will be able to do so. But to answer your question, once those discussions have been held, if it is proven and has been proven that it will enhance road safety, it’s something that we need to and will look at very seriously.”
According to the most recent available statistics from the Bermuda Police Service, drink driving reached a three-year high in 2023. Police recorded 170 impaired driver arrests in 2021, 229 in 2022, and 263 in 2023.
Internationally, research supports the role of late-night transit in reducing impaired driving. A study published in the Journal of Public Economics found that extended public transportation hours provide drinkers with a safe way to get home, leading to fewer DUI arrests in areas where transit stops are located near bars.
In Ontario, Canada, residents are strongly encouraged to use late-night transit as a means of avoiding drinking and driving. Meanwhile, in Queensland, Australia, the introduction of 50-cent fares has proven popular with commuters and provided a safer alternative for late-night travellers.
Currently in Bermuda, the last buses depart around midnight, and ferry service on the Blue Route typically ends around 9pm – except on Wednesday evenings during the summer months for Harbour Nights.
It remains to be seen whether our island will move toward expanding its public transport schedule, but the conversation around safety, affordability, and accessibility appears to be on the minds of policy makers.
