Times are set to change in Bermuda as both residents and visitors are encouraged to get off their bikes, and out of their cars, and onto public transport.

Following a massive increase in both the population and the number of vehicles on the roads between 1980 and 1999, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown has been behind the largest ever survey of travel on the Island in the hope that people's habits can eventually be changed and congestion reduced.

The report states that with a population of 62,000, Bermuda is becoming more and more densely populated, with 2,952 people per square mile. But is was the period between the 1980s and the 1990s that brought the most significant changes to Bermuda's landscape. The huge economic growth brought additional residents, and additional wealth, which resulted in both extra traffic on the roads and more people who were able to buy their own homes.

And with the influx of international business came more commercial developments, particularly in and around the City of Hamilton.

Statistically, the changes in Bermuda between 1980 and 1999 were staggering. During that time, the number of residents increased by 14 percent from 54,870 to 62,700.

The number of jobs has risen by 24.9 percent, the number of buildings by 33 percent, and the number of cars by 71.4 percent.

The number of vehicles in total has gone from 37,816 to 52,432, which is a 38.7 percent increase.

In 1980, 64 percent of households that qualified for a car had one licensed; in 1999, 83 percent had one licensed. That means that if the remaining 17 percent of homes chose to buy a car, which they have a right to do, then another 4,700 cars would be licensed to operate on Bermuda's roads, having a significant impact on traffic congestion.

With such a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles, morning peak hour traffic has increased at an average of 4.4 percent per year during the 1990s, resulting in significantly longer travel times during the peak hours.

And the potential exists for even more dramatic changes in the future.

The Ministry of Transport said surveys it conducted in 1999 indicated that the Bermudian public, as well as visitors to the Island, had become increasingly concerned over the impact of traffic congestion on their quality of life.

And as the Island starts out into the 21st century, the transportation challenges will become more complex, and, if Bermuda is to retain its unique qualities, it must manage its transportation resources more effectively.

The transport steering committee believes continued economic growth cannot occur in Bermuda without a well-planned and utilised public transport system.

There are no plans, or space, to expand current roads or construct new roads. Land to construct car parks is limited and each new parking space results in less room for pedestrians.

Consequently, it believes the Island has no choice but to develop a public transport system that is a viable alternative to private cars and bikes.

In a bid to encourage residents to leave their own personal transport at home, the minister is already in the process of introducing faster ferries, with additional ferry stops. And privately operated minibus services have been instituted that serve a public transport purpose by transporting customers within specific geographic areas, usually in areas not generally served by a public transport network.

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown has a vision.

It begins in the morning, when workers step outside their homes and head the short distance towards the nearest bus stop or shuttle bus pick-up spot and make their way towards one of the Island's ferry ports. With a much improved, frequent, and fast, ferry service, he envisages a day when the majority of workers get onto the state-of-the-art catamarans and enjoy the 20 minute journey into Hamilton, where they can disembark and make their way, stress-free, to work.

However, at the moment, it is just a dream. In order to make it a reality, and to convince the Bermuda public that they would indeed be better served on a bus or ferry, instead of on their bikes or in cars, they must give value for money, reliability, comfort and choice. As an integrated part of the public transport system, it is proposed that connections between the bus, ferry and shuttle bus systems will improve to enable more residents and visitors to utilise public transport and the water.

It has been suggested that minibuses be provided to cater to those people who are not within walking distance to bus or ferry stops, including neighbourhoods and visitor accommodations. The steering committee has proposed to develop a ferry system that meets the needs of the travelling public, with greater levels of comfort, more frequent service, higher speeds, and more ferry stops. And part of that proposal is a plan to introduce an automated fare collecting system, which will aim to be easy to use for both residents and visitors. To get everybody on the same page, it is proposed that the Public Transportation Board be formally assigned to oversee and develop bus and ferry timetables so they work hand in hand to make public transport easy to use.

It is also proposed that:

A marketing and public relations strategy be developed to get people off the roads.

The bus and ferry system actively market its product to prospective customers.

A visitor specific bus and ferry schedule be prepared, highlighting tourist information.

Bus and ferry information be put on TV.

A web page be developed, linking all Ministry of Transport web pages.

With a goal to provide visitors with options for charter and sightseeing tours it is recommended that other transport carriers, such as Airport Limousine service, be allowed to operate charter and sightseeing services, provided their core business is performed in accordance with their permit. And the proposal allows for the November to March restriction on sightseeing charters be changed to allow groups the option of chartering buses at any time of the year.