UBP calls for carpooling for commuters out of St. George's

Shadow Transport Minister Jamahl Simmons yesterday urged commuters using the Causeway to car pool and cut down on non-essential travel, in an effort to reduce traffic on the storm damaged bridge.

"Every day we see car after car crossing the Causeway with just one occupant," he said in a press statement. "If those drivers could check with their friends, talk to their neighbours, speak to their fellow church members and offer to share their vehicles, life just might become a little bit better for people in the east end. It is a sacrifice but by reaching out and sharing rides... we can help reduce the long lines of traffic and the waiting time to cross the bridge."

ZBM's 1340 restoration in two weeks

Bermuda Broadcasting Company is hoping that problems with one of its radio stations caused by Hurricane Fabian will be solved in two weeks.

CEO and managing director of the BBC, more commonly known as ZBM, Rick Richardson said in the meantime the company was trying to please all listeners by combining the contents of its two stations into one.

He said the hurricane almost three weeks ago had caused many problems with some equipment, and, as a result, 1340AM had been temporarily lost. So, some of the show's contents, including the Everest DeCosta show and Talk Radio, had been moved to 89FM.

But he said the musical content of 89FM had remained, too.

"We had transmitters basically damaged by the hurricane and we had a satellite damaged," he said. "We are trying to provide for everyone. We estimate that we will go on for another two weeks and then we will be clear as to where we are."

Bus service expanding

Buses are beginning to move about the Island more as the Public Transportation Board (PTB) announced the restoration of two more routes yesterday.

Routes 1 and 3 for Salt House/Harrington Hundreds area in Smith's Parish and Route 8C Cedar Hill in Warwick have been restored. Although the routes were now operational, Director of PTB Mr. Dan Simmons said Routes 1 and 3, which service Hamilton Parish, Smith's Parish and the Grotto Bay area via South Shore are working in a limited capacity.

Mr. Simmons said Routes 1 and 3 would exclude St. Mark's Road, Paynter's Road, John Smith's Bay, Watch Hill and Tucker's Town. All other areas including Flatts, Harrington Sound, Shark Hole Hill, Town Hill and Verdmont were still in service.

Although times are subject to change service will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 6.45 p.m.

Take horticultural waste to Marsh Folly

Residents are being advised to drop their horticultural waste at the Marsh Folly Composting Facility now that a temporary site is closed.

Works and Engineering said the South Road location across from Warwick Long Bay was now closed and said that the site was made available during the initial clean-up after Hurricane Fabian to reduce the long wait for truckers at the Marsh Folly facility.

Do not put batteries in garbage - recycle

The Ministry of Works and Engineering is advising the public that used batteries should not be thrown out in household garbage, issuing a list of guidelines to ensure the public dispose of batteries safely.

l Take used batteries to participating hardware stores, pharmacies, grocery stores and other places where batteries are sold and drop them into the battery buckets.

l Batteries may also be placed in the battery drum at the Tynes Bay drop-off facility.

l Throw out used batteries now before they get mixed up with new ones.

To find locations that accept used batteries call 297-7946 or 297-7857.

CableVision moves off trunk lines

CableVision said last night crews are getting down to the nitty gritty of neighbourhood work after nearing the end of trunk line repairs following hurricane damage.

CableVision General Manager Jeremy Elmas said final repairs to the fibre optic backbone in St. David's and St. George's should be finished today. He said: "We continue to work on the trunk and distribution lines that go out to customers' homes, concentrating on the worst affected neighbourhoods as a priority.

"Once the fibre optic backbone is repaired, we will concentrate all our efforts on our trunk and distribution lines. Our crews continue to work overtime seven days a week, ten to 12 hours a day and, along with our customer care associates, are doing a great job."

He said customers should call only if they're the only ones without cable service in their neighbourhood.

"There is no need to call CableVision at this time regarding credit for loss of service. We will be giving all customers a credit, which will appear on their October invoice."