THURSDAY, APRIL 5: Businesses who employ more than 10 guest workers will have the power to decide who can and cannot own a car, under a new policy announced by Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown today.
Single people and couples without children are likely to be most affected.
Dr. Brown said: "The aim of this formula is to limit the expatriate worker from purchasing a car at will and place the burden on employers to know their employees and to assess their genuine need for a car."
Also, as we first reported last year, Dr. Brown wants to make public transport free by the end of the year.
Other initiatives designed to cut down on traffic congestion include limiting the second hand car market; introducing from July 1 a year long moratorium on the granting of truck permits and toughening up the laws to ensure that a person lives at the address to which a car is registered.
Dr. Brown also said that he would be asking the Legislature to consider a Bill that "permits the impounding of vehicles where the vehicle is unlicensed or uninsured and also where a driver is driving whilst disqualified or without insurance."
There are about 50,000 cars on Bermuda's road - an increase of about 10,000 over the past five years. A study into sustainable development last year suggested tough measures have to be taken to protect our quality of life.
Over the past few years Government has worked to promote the use of public transport. It has introduced five fast ferries and improved some docks and introduced a 15-minute interval service on some of the bus routes.
Adding to that Dr. Brown said: "As of Monday, April 9 buses will provide new half-hourly schedules on routes 7, 8, 10 and 11. This addition to the existing schedule will create a 15-minute service to Dockyard and St. George's... the full 15-minute headway on the routes is expected to be in full operation as of May 14."
Dr. Brown said he still believes in implementing a water taxi service and urged any entrepreneurs to make them selves known.
Now the public transportation framework is here, it is time to "prescribe a more stringent regime in several areas of vehicle use in Bermuda," Dr. Brown said.
With regards the second hard car market Dr. Brown said it has to be limited. However, he added: "First we wish to provide an avenue for Bermudians to dispose of their cars such that its remaining economic value can be realized. This includes exploring markets for Bermuda's second hand cars overseas."
Ensuring assessment numbers match up to addresses is another priority.
Dr. Brown said amendments would "require the registered owner of a motor car to live at the address to which a car is registered and to make it an offence except in certain circumstances for a landlord to rent an apartment without an assessment number to which a vehicle might be registered."
Better enforcement of existing laws that would hold drivers more accountable for their actions on the roads is also expected later in the year.
Dr. Brown said: "Let me be clear, the resolution of our traffic problems requires bold and decisive action from Government and a willingness on the part of the community to make personal sacrifices.
"We are all affected by the problems and as such we must all play a part in the solution. The prospect of free public transport is more real now than ever before. The response of the community to these proposals will assist me in making the case for this change."
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Comment by:
logic76
What this government needs to do is:
1) Offer school transportation services in addition to Public Transportation.
2) Re-instate the law whereby nobody can drive another person's car without the owner present in the vehicle at the time.
Singles and couples without children need to be targeted; they are the people who would have an easier time to take PTB or a bike. At the moment this seems like another PLP scheme to beat on the expats.
If necessary the government could always hike up the duty on importing cars to an unimaginable amount, turning people away from buying new cars.
Don't worry about the people driving the new BMW's or Mercedes, they are much fewer in numbers. How about cracking down on the "Commercial Vehicles", especially those pick-ups with the custom rims and spray-jobs that obviously are never going to see a construction site or a speck of dust. Anyone in possession of a commercial vehicle should have to prove that the vehicle is being used for a sufficient amount of work in order for them to keep it. Too many people use these vans and trucks as a second car.
Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Comment by:
localboy
Unlike some, I believe some of this is a step in the right direction, but I do think just targeting the expats is wrong, or as it would seem.
I've said for years that goverment should do a occupied by household rule on cars. Where the amount of ppl who lived in your house regulates the size of car you should have. This will help prevent what one writer here stated of, " A large family would not be living in a studio" Sorry bout that is crap. Cause of Bermuda's housing situation and the greed displayed on this island presently, you'll be surprised how many families are in closed quarters but that is besides the point and a different issue.
Then if you have the nay sayers saying I want a bigger car then fine, pay for it, and by that I mean you'll have to pay at least 5,000 additional more per a year for your privilege of wanting a bigger car, that has been proven by your living situation you do not need.
For the expats, I've had expats agree that they've said that expats should be limited in the ability to buy a car, but it has to be fair and just - where a local has to be subject to some sort of regulation as well.
I've proposed this to some MPs before and got the round around, let's really see what happens now, I doubt that anything will, cause greed and captialism has ruled this country for the last 20+ years and I dont see that changing at all.
Posted: Monday, April 09, 2007
Comment by:
Newyorker
Can we all stop pointing the finger at each other? We all must accept the fact that the biggest issue is rush-hour driving in and out of Hamilton. It's the same issue in London, New York, and most other cities around the world. As a driver, you have to decide whether you want to put up with this inconvenience for the comfort and independence of being able to drive a car. The alternatives are car sharing and public transport, both of which have downsides. Making public transport free is a good step. The only other area worth pursuing is to strictly enforce the one car per assessment number rule.
Posted: Monday, April 09, 2007
Comment by:
Andrea
I believe that the Government is getting somewhere but to blame the expats is wrong. Majority of Bermudian, rather be single, married, divored or widowed all drive cars. So why blame the expats? Because these so called "Faithful Bermudians" sell their cars 2nd hand to expats and then go ahead and buy these massive SUV's. The person to blame are the Bermudians. Firsly, They need to remove the senior citizens off the road because at their age, they drive as slow as a snail, im not trying to change the speed limit here. Secondly, are the bikers or the "I love to make and hog three way lanes" this needs to stop, until someone stratches a car and speeds off. Who will pay off for the damages? Thirdly,are the one handed bandits a.k.a. the always on the phone, i dont care whose in front or behind me, you can wait, im on my cell. We as Bermudians should not blame others but ourselves. We started this problem and together we can find solutions to fixing this major problem.
Posted: Monday, April 09, 2007
Comment by:
Susan
Oh now I get it — it's only expats that buy cars — especially those gas guzzling SUVS used also by Bermudian Government ministers. Will the premier be driving a Honda Fit then? He's not transporting children? Let’s be real — all Bermudians like everything bigger and better! Ewart Brown is on the right track but he is misplacing the blame for the problem. Many, many expats are single and do drive scooters. Let’s look at the single Bermudians who have cars and address that too or those homeowners who abuse their assessment numbers too. If public transit is free, who will pay for its operation? Taxpayers, get answers first before you let arbitrary legislation become law.
Where would Bermuda be without their classic scapegoat — the expat?
Just how environmentally friendly are water taxis that pollute an already taxed harbour? While you're at it, let’s also address idling (a known factor in greenhouse gases) especially along, Front, Reid and Queen Streets, please. Then address the insane amount of trash consumed by each household. Put limits (2 bags per week per household, compost ALL organic waste and turn it into energy or sell the new, fertile soil. Take the lead on the environment and sustainability instead of BLAMING everyone else. Other countries have been doing it for years. And, get rid of all plastic and paper bags in grocery stores, make everyone use canvas bags or plastic reusable baskets. Many places are banning them altogether because they take a lot of time to breakdown. Here's a thought get rid of all those expats so Bermuda can find someone or something else to blame for it's problems. I'd say it's time to take responsibility for your own mess and look to other countries which have already solved their own problems. In fact, it's up to Bermudians to take responsibility NOT just the Government. I call upon the government and the people and even this newspaper to make a difference. Take a stand. You don’t need to be a ‘treehugger’ to acknowledge just how wasteful our society is.
Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007
Comment by:
Rob
Assuming that the government is actually trying to address road congestion with this policy, I am confident that it will have no such effect. It will, however, have a number of other potentially undesirable impacts, which one wonders if the government has really thought through.
The number of single expats with cars is relatively small. Those that actually bother to use them during rush-hour even smaller. And those that do, probably fall into the exempt company senior management category that wouldn't be prepared to live here without a company provided vehicle anyway. Meet their demands or do without the economic benefit of their presence in Bermuda. The reduction in congestion arising from the group will be imperceptible.
Expats with children - like Bermudians with children - need a car, so this policy is not going to create a reduction in car usage from this segment of the population unless employers are able to replace expats that have kids with expats that don't. Hmmm....unlikely...and certainly an additional recruitment burden on Bermuda businesses that they could well do without.
If you take away the option of a car away from expats with children, then in all likelihood such people will leave Bermuda or not come here in the first place.
In the same vane, if the circumstances of previously childless expats change whilst in Bermuda and they have children, then they will require a car. Deny them this and then in all likelihood they will depart.
The safety of an expat’s children, and the inconvenience of trying to get through everyday life without a car in such circumstances is simply going to be a showstopper for all but the tiniest proportion.
Ultimately all this just increases the already arduous recruitment burden on employers.
Consider on top of this the extra administration that employers will need to bear in order to manage car quota allocations, and the costs rise further….for essentially no benefit.
And finally, with all of the anti-expat rhetoric from government, eventually there will be those expats – whose number I am sure is increasing - that just say enough is enough irrespective of whether this policy impacts them directly or not. Oh….more needless staff turnover for employers to contend with!
There are so many other mechanisms through which government could tackle Bermuda’s social and environmental problems, which would actually have an impact. With no effective Opposition at the moment I’d have expected bold moves that will yield results not cheap shots against people who can’t even vote!
Posted: Sunday, April 08, 2007
Comment by:
Tmac
People talk about traffic being lighter when the private schools are on holiday but has no one noticed that the traffic is ALSO lighter when the public schools are on holiday?? School buses for ALL schools will ease congestion.
Posted: Saturday, April 07, 2007
Comment by:
Sherry
How about restricting the size of the car to the assessment #. A person living in a small studio doesn't NEED a large car. Maybe up to a "C" class. A large family would not be living in a studio. The large cars take up too much space on the roads and in parking lots. And there are more choices available now in small cars.
Posted: Friday, April 06, 2007
Comment by:
Jonathan
If we have such a chaotic traffic problem then explain the light traffic into Hamilton when schools are on holiday? Once again the big picture is being overlooked. As the population grows, more houses are built resulting in more cars. Car quotas for expatriate worker will not reduce traffic congestion. If anything, we should do what most countries do; adopt a toll system on East Broadway. Busses for private schools will also help.
Posted: Friday, April 06, 2007
Comment by:
Mike
People have commented on our forum that they are unable to submit messages here, or they are being censored. Is that so?
