Dear Sir,

We are regular longtime visitors to Bermuda. We write because of a public policy that damages local people and local business, discourages tourism, and makes no sense: namely, the restrictive ferry schedule to docks in the inner harbour known as the Pink Route. One boat serves commuters early mornings and evenings on weekdays; there are no boats to any of the docks on weekends.

The costs to people living on the south shore of the inner harbour are considerable:

1, Residents or visitors wanting or needing to go to Hamilton can drive or take the number eight bus on Middle Road, though driving adds to vehicular congestion, while taking the bus requires walking to Middle Road. The hill rising from Harbour Road to Middle Road is steep. Many residents would find walking it very difficult; the many elderly residents would find it impossible. There are many children living on or near Harbour Road; travelling to or beyond Hamilton requires that they walk up, then down, roads without sidewalks.

2, Tourists staying in inner harbour facilities are mystified by the lack of weekend and midday transport from nearby docks. Their loyalty to those facilities is severely compromised by its absence. Let them take taxis? Drivers are often slow to accept assignments less lucrative than longer fares.

3, Ferry management may say that inner harbour service is not economically viable because the boat is little used. That may be true, but why are they surprised that the unreliable, start-and-stop history of inner harbour ferry service has obliged residents to make other arrangements?

Bermuda has recently purchased two new boats to service Dockyard and St George’s. The one boat still servicing the inner harbour is 30 years old. Why isn’t it replaced?

KATHERINE AND DAVID WEISSMAN

New York City