Changes to Rockaway ferry and minibus services

THURSDAY, APRIL 12 UPDATE: Derrick Burgess, Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport, today advised that the 7:55am trip from Rockaway to Hamilton will be included in the Summer Ferry Schedule that will come into operation on April 16th. The 7:55am trip will run until the end of June when schools break for the summer vacation.

Minister Burgess said: “After meeting with commuters who use the ferry service, we have decided to keep the 7:55am ferry trip from Rockaway to Hamilton until at least June 30. We recognize the importance of the Rockaway service and will make every attempt to retain it within our financial constraints.  Ultimately, the decision will be made based on how many people use the service and the cost to operate it.”

The Minister said that use of the Rockaway service has decreased since the economic downturn but Rockaway remains an important element of Bermuda’s ferry service.

Summer ferry schedules will be available at the Ferry terminal as of Thursday, April 12 and online at www.seaexpress.bm and www.marineandports.bm as of Monday April 2nd.

FRIDAY, MARCH 30: Derrick Burgess, Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport, today advised that the Rockaway ferry schedule will change for the summer season starting Monday, 16th April,  2012.

Also, effective 1st April, 2012, the Government will no longer provide supplementary mini-bus service to Rockaway.

Minister Burgess said: “In our efforts to contain costs whilst still providing a comprehensive commuter service from Rockaway, we have reduced the number of trips from eight to five. These five trips historically see the largest number of passengers so the reduction in trips should have very little impact on those commuting back and forth from Hamilton.

“Our ridership assessment has indicated that due to the economic downturn there has been a reduction in utilization on the Rockaway service, so we are adjusting the service to meet the demands”. 

Minister Burgess added that ridership surveys have indicated that the majority of school children use the earlier 7:20am ferry service, so curtailing the 7:55am trip will not significantly impact transportation for school children.

Minister Burgess added that there is a weekday 8am departure from Dockyard to Hamilton and 4:30pm, 5pm and 5:30pm from Hamilton to Dockyard. There is also parking available in Dockyard which may be convenient for those commuters with vehicles.

Summer ferry schedules will be available at the Ferry terminal as of Monday April 9th and online at www.seaexpress.bm and www.marineandports.bm as of Monday April 2nd.