Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell is failing to live up to his promises of ensuring little or no waiting times for tourists needing buses from Dockyard to the beaches, according to the Progressive Labour Party.

Shadow Transport Minister Lawrence Scott blasted the Government for the chaos surrounding the new shuttle bus service and warned that “labour concerns” may soon compound problems.

“When Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell initially assumed the responsibility for the Transport Ministry he made several statements both in Parliament and in the media,” Mr Scott said. “The Minister declared categorically that once those tourists who choose to visit Bermuda by cruise ship set foot in Dockyard they would experience little or no waiting time, because he was the one with all the answers.

“However, the reality between Minister Crockwell’s promise to Bermuda and the cruise industry of little waiting time, and the reality of the actual service, is a delay of two to three hours for passengers being delivered to the beach and again for them to be picked up and returned to Dockyard.

“Although they may have had a vested interest, last year — prior to Minister Crockwell unveiling his ‘assembly line’ transportation plan — members of the taxi industry warned the Minister against moving forward with his plan because in their view it represented a ‘band-aid’ solution.”

Mr Scott called on Mr Crockwell to publicly confirm or deny reports that cruise ships “with the full knowledge of the OBA Government” are encouraging passengers to take public buses instead of the taxis or mini buses, and that bus tickets are being sold on the ships before they dock in the West End.

Mr Scott said he was also concerned that “it is being suggested to cruise visitors that taxi drivers and mini bus operators are not trustworthy and will try to rip them off”.

“If it is determined that the Minister is not prepared to confirm or deny this report, and there exist passengers who will/have confirmed this marketing practice to be so, then it would appear that Minister Crockwell could be judged to be a victim of his own success, as he has successfully scared all the customers away from the taxis and on to the buses and does not have enough of a supply of buses to accommodate the demand for them,” Mr Scott added.

He warned Government risks compounding their problems at Dockyard with labour concerns. During the Budget debate in February, Mr Scott questioned the Minister on the projected surplus of revenue generated by Public Transportation Board.

“The Minister’s answer was that it came from running the buses up at Dockyard,” Mr Scott said. “Which in the first instance sounds and seems good.

“However, what was not said is that the bus drivers working those shifts and those routes were not being paid at the rates that they should be, which to my understanding would be the equivalent of overtime pay, which has not been forthcoming.

“It is time for the Minister to be honest with the people of Bermuda.”

Shadow Tourism Minister Zane DeSilva also took aim at Mr Crockwell last night, calling on the Minister to accept responsibility for the “disgraceful situation”.

“The fact that Minister Crockwell allowed an exclusive deal to be brokered by Wedco and Ray Charlton and the Minister didn’t have the sense to inform cruise lines, cruise passengers, bus drivers, taxis, and the public boggles the mind,” Mr DeSilva said.

Asked about the issues at Dockyard during a press conference yesterday, Premier Michael Dunkley said he still had faith that Mr Crockwell and Wedco would be able to resolve any problems.

“Like everyone, I would be very concerned if we were not providing the best possible service to the people of Bermuda and visitors to Bermuda,” he said. “I have had conversations with the Minister responsible for Transport and Tourism, Mr Crockwell, and with Wedco last night and through the day to keep abreast of the situation and I am very comfortable and confident that they are on top of the situation.”