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Some remain unhappy at Bermuda Gas relocation

Discontent is being expressed by some residents, particularly senior citizens, over the move by Bermuda Gas & Utility Company Limited from its city premises on Church Street to Serpentine Road.Although the relocation took place last summer some customers, such as seniors with no transportation, are unhappy that they now face a much longer trip to the out of town location. They say it is now an unnecessary inconvenience to pay their monthly utility bill.When contacted by The Royal Gazette, Belco’s media spokeswoman Susan McGrath-Smith said: “We do appreciate that by moving the Belco cashiers to our Serpentine Road headquarters, we may have inconvienced some customers.”But she was quick to note the move was made last June 2011, adding: “When we did that, the only payment option at Bermuda Gas in Hamilton was a drop box; so the drop box at Gibbons Company provides the same option. That said, Bermuda Gas’ move to its new showroom should not have had much additional impact on payment methods, as the cashier’s moved six months’ prior.”But for the seniors who contacted The Royal Gazette it’s not as simple as that. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one elderly resident who does not drive and doesn’t own their own form of transportation, said: “For me it means catching the bus to Sandys to pay my bill monthly at the Somerset MarketPlace. I can’t walk from Hamilton to Serpentine Road. I have arthritis. I have trouble walking around the house on a good day, nevermind walking that far.”Belco is exploring other payment options in Hamilton. Ms McGrath-Smith said: “We have nothing concrete to report at this moment. Direct Debit is another option and it guarantees that the customer never misses a discount date as the payment is debited automatically.“And customers can pay online via the banks or via www.belco.bm. We also want to remind customers that they can pay both their Belco bill and Bermuda Gas bill at Belco headquarters.”When informed of this, the senior citizen who spoke to The Royal Gazette, said: “I don’t know anything about computers. I want to put my money across the counter and I want a receipt in return put back in my hands. I have receipts in shoe boxes under my bed dating back to the last century. I don’t know anything about the World Wide Web. Tell me what Belco is going to do about that?”