Government has reinstated the weekend and holiday ferry schedule on the pink route due to public demand, and added extra weekday services.The move was welcomed yesterday by a local guest house manager and a resident of Hinson Island, both of whom were affected by cutbacks on the route. Government axed the weekend and holiday service on the pink route, which calls at Paget and Warwick, in April due to cost saving measures.The news prompted an outcry, with complaints from residents and guests alike.Yesterday, Minister of Transport Terry Lister announced the service will resume from Monday, June 27. There will be a fare increase, which the Minister did not specify, and the service will not be as regular as it was last year.Asked if he was still looking for private ferry operators to partner with Government, he said: “We’ve been talking about other ferries and water taxis for quite some time and I really want that to happen.”He urged residents and visitors to make the most of the newly-reinstated pink route service, saying: “The ridership on the routes is so abysmal it’s really not funny.“We really need some of them to bring their friends along. We just need the people to ride it.”Mr Lister said the reduced schedule went into effect on April 11 with the caveat that it would be reviewed as the summer season progressed.“To that end, we have had discussions with some of the smaller guest houses located on Harbour Road, with the residents of Hinson Island and with individuals who use this service. Many of these persons suggested a fare increase as a means of restoring the service,” he explained.“Following this consultation with those who use the pink route service, the Department of Marine and Ports has reviewed the Paget/Warwick schedule and is pleased to announce the reinstatement of the weekend and public holiday service.“In comparison with the 2010 summer schedule, the service will be reduced by four round trips on Saturday and three round trips on Sundays and public holidays. While the reintroduction of the weekend and public holiday service will increase operating costs, the uplift in fees will help to offset these operational costs.“Additionally, the Monday to Friday schedule has been amended to include two extra runs departing Hamilton terminal at 11am and 12 noon.“The reintroduction of the weekend and public holiday service and the extra daily runs will commence on June 27, while the fare increase will take effect on August 1.”Reacting to the news, John Lowe, manager of the Salt Kettle Guest House in Paget said: “We’re delighted. I would say 95 percent of our guests rely on the bus and ferry passes so we are really happy. It’s not only the convenience of using the ferry for them, it’s the charm as well.”Mr Lowe said since the cutbacks, guests had been faced with walking to Middle Road to catch a bus or paying $11 to $12 each way to get to Hamilton.“I know our guests will be willing to pay the increased fare to have the service back,” he said.Gabriel Pimental, 79, who has lived on Hinson Island for 44 years, is also pleased with the news.“If we have the weekend service back, that’s an improvement. Anything is an improvement over what we’ve got now. It’s been causing a lot of problems,” he said.Mr Lister said the fare increase will need to be passed by Parliament and is set to be debated on July 1. He did not specify what it would be but commented: “The rate increase will be such that the cost to the tourist really won’t be substantial at all.”