January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.

Commuters fly ribbons to beat the bus strike

Commuters fly ribbons to beat the bus strike
Commuters fly ribbons to beat the bus strike

By Raymond [email protected] | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18: A florist was inspired by Facebook to back a drive offering lifts to people stranded by the bus dispute.

Carmen Phillips and husband Bill, who own Demco Florists in Devonshire, are handing out pink and blue ribbons – the colours of island buses – to members of the public who want to show they’re prepared to stop and help someone out with a lift.

*Ms Phillips said she got the idea to hand out the free ribbons after a Facebook page was set up to encourage drivers to stop and pick people up with Marcia Currin suggesting people wear the ribbons on their cars like they would during Cup Match.

She added: “I read the posts on Facebook and got that warm, fuzzy feeling. Then I heard on talk radio that Bermudians wouldn’t stop to pick up people because of who you might get these days.

“But I know we haven’t lost what Bermuda is all about and I just wanted to contribute something. It was a great initiative and it’s so great to see Bermudians doing what they’re known for – helping people.”

The South Road florists had handed out close to 100 of the ribbons at lunchtime yesterday and staff said there was a steady stream of people coming in to ask for them.

David Devent, 73, from Devonshire, picked up a ribbon yesterday morning.

He said: “I’m a Bermudian and you’ve got people stuck today, a senior citizen who needs to get to the doctor. I’m retired – I got home last night and took my car out and picked people up.

“My wife said if ‘if you see any tourists, stop and give them a lift’.”

Mr Phillips added: “It’s definitely working – somebody made the suggestion people should fly pink-and-blue ribbons to signify they would pick people up.

“We had a stock of ribbons in those colours, so we decided to start handing them out. People are certainly rallying round. They’ve been very appreciative.”

The ribbon campaign started after bus drivers yesterday went on strike in a row over bus driver Jennifer Harvey, who failed to take a drugs test after being involved in an accident in which a passenger was hurt.

Ms Harvey has been suspended since the June accident and on Monday, Transport Minister Terry Lister announced on Wednesday that she had been fired for insubordination after five refusals to submit to a test.

* Story was corrected to give Ms Currin credit for the idea of using the blue and pink ribbons on their cars. 

 

Special report: Bus strike

 

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