Public bus service hit by delays from tyre shortage

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Public transportation glitches due to “a higher than normal number of vehicles currently out of service” triggered heavy criticism yesterday.

Service interruptions from 2pm and 7pm prompted a speedy apology from the Department of Public Transportation “for any inconvenience to the travelling public”.

Eighteen buses were out of service yesterday “waiting for new tyres”.

A spokesman said: “The current situation will be alleviated with the scheduled delivery of a shipment of tyres today.”

But disruption during the peak period yesterday drew criticism from the Shadow Minister of Transport Patricia Gordon-Pamplin.

She questioned Government’s ability “to mind the store” due to a “bus fleet hobbled by a lack of spare tyres”.

“Make no mistake, this is not a one-off. Lack of spare parts, whether with ferries, the incinerator or buses, has become a regular feature of Island life. There is, clearly, a systemic problem at work,” she said. “One would have hoped that the priority before the tourist season would have been to ensure Bermuda’s infrastructure was ready to handle increased demand. “But having just spent a cool million on a tourism plan and having to acknowledge there are too few buses to meet visitor demand is just one more sign of a government asleep at the wheel.

“The fact that local commuters also have to suffer inconvenience that was avoidable, adds fuel to the fire” she said.

The One Bermuda Alliance MP stressed “the underlying concern is that the Government fails to see that it is the service business — the customer service business”.

“What’s even more disappointing is that it will not take heed,” she said. “Reckless spending, poor planning and lack of leadership is catching up with the government and the people of this country are paying, and will continue to pay the price.”

Ms Gordon-Pamplin concluded: “The system — the infrastructure that exists to make this Island work, is crumbling. The people of Bermuda deserve better.”

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