Cabbies, cycle liveries cash in on extra trade

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19: Not everyone loses out when bus drivers go on strike.

And the strike by bus drivers on Thursday was a welcome boost to taxi drivers as well as motorcycle rental firms.

Denise Trew from Eve Cycles said bike rentals were up yesterday compared to most Thursdays: “These two cruise ships we have in on a Wednesday are always good for us. But today has been a much better Thursday than normal because of the strike.

“We have hired out more bikes because people can’t take the buses and most people who hired out a bike yesterday have extended it for another day. It is welcome from a business perspective and a pleasant surprise.

“I don’t feel like the queues for the ferries have been any worse than they usually are. People are just doing the best with what is available.”

A taxi driver at Horseshoe Beach, who gave his name as ‘Cheeks’, said business had improved due to the strike: “It’s been so busy my car has died on me. It’s overheated We have all been doing lots of journeys from up in Dockyard down to Horseshoe and Elbow Beach. It’s been a lot busier than most Thursday that’s for sure.”

Meanwhile at the Bermuda Bistro in Hamilton tourists were being offered half price meals after 5pm to make up for the inconvenience caused by the bus strike. Manager Rebecca Field said: “A lot of people have been left stranded in town. So we are trying offer them something that makes up for that and gives them a cheaper option for eating if they can’t get back to their cruise ship.”

Private boat owners sailed up to Dockyard and ferried tourists to the Southampton Princess so they could get onto Horseshoe Beach. There were also reports that some bus drivers had continued to work after the strike had been announced on Wednesday evening to ensure that cruise passengers made it back to their cabins.

A statement released yesterday on behalf of Transport Minister Terry Lister praised everyone who has helped out during strike and urged drivers to go back to work: “The extraordinary efforts by all sectors of the community to help each other are very much appreciated and it’s encouraging to witness the extent to which people have gone to help one another.

“Thanks to the taxi, mini bus and other private transportation that turned out in force at Dockyard today to help ferry our cruise visitors to their destinations. Thanks also to the professionalism of the Marine & Ports employees who did a phenomenal job in moving our guests via ferry from Dockyard this morning.”

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