More than 700 sign petition urging Government to restore full schedule
A petition calling on Government to restore full service on the Pink ferry route has resurfaced.
Back in 2022, more than 1,900 people supported the cause. Now, residents are once again rallying behind the service, which some describe as a “lifeline.”
The Pink Route ferry, which services Paget and Warwick residents, has been suspended four times this year – three of those disruptions happened over the summer – all due to mechanical issues.
Government has cited an ageing fleet as owing to the ongoing challenges. After the most recent repairs were completed at the end of July, the ferry returned to service … but without weekend coverage.
The revised schedule, to the frustration of regular users, also leaves a void in the middle of each weekday between rush hours.
A petition organiser says the Pink Route has “long been a vital transportation link,” but reductions to the service have forced commuters to “seek costly alternatives, often resulting in increased traffic congestion and carbon emissions from road vehicles.”
They continued: “The cessation of weekend operations has escalated this issue, creating a transportation gap that affects hundreds of Bermudians and visitors alike.”
More than 700 people have signed the current Change.org petition. In 2022, a similar effort drew more than 1,900 signatures.
The route was restored in March 2023 under then-Transport Minister Wayne Furbert.
The new petition, circulating on social media, shares the same goal – to push policy makers to fully restore the service.
It states, “Reinstating the full, reliable service throughout the week on the pink ferry route is crucial. It’s not a plea for convenience; it’s a necessity for economic stability and community well-being.”
Recently, Opposition Senator Victoria Cunningham urged Government to provide a clear timeline and introduce interim measures to ease the burden on commuters and businesses affected by the cutbacks.
She stated: “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.”
