January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
It's locals versus tourists on 'the sardine special'
Passengers use elbows as weapons as they fight for their right to be seated on the ‘sardine special.’
The first of a new breed of mega cruise ships has arrived at Dockyard — and doesn’t the no.7 South Shore bus know it.
Bermudians are known for their friendliness and good manners but on this route, civility seems to get left behind at the bus stop.
When there’s only one bus an hour, the queue at the bus terminal is not a place for making new friends. People simply want to get home. Locals have had a hard day at work and tourists want to get back for dinner after a day’s sightseeing. The tension mounts.
There are about 75 people huddled together ready to pounce. Some are standing defensively with their arms folded while others frantically puff at their cigarettes.
As soon at the no.7 opens its doors, it’s every man, woman and child for themselves. Everyone pushes and if it looks like they aren’t getting anywhere, they simply push harder.
The pressed jacket is crumpled, the hair is all out of place, the feet are being trampled on, it doesn’t matter.
The gloves are off: “You’re pushing” one man says. “well, so are you,” a woman replies. “I was here before you,” he snaps. ‘No you weren’t” she retorts. It’s like pre-school all over again.
“This is worst than 8am in Manhattan,” chirps one disgruntled tourist — and she wasn’t wrong.
It’s a mad dash for seats as everyone scrambles to get onboard. The blood pressure is sent soaring.
It’s first come, first served. You can be pregnant, a senior, or look as if you’re about to drop dead, but no-one will give up their seat for you.
The choice of seat makes all the difference. If you are ‘bus savvy’ you know to plan your escape route and sit close to the exit.
It’s standing room only for most with only the toughest remaining on their feet. You are pushed, jostled and crushed. You have no choice but to get downright cozy with the people around you, you’ve got someone looking over your shoulder as you stare into someone else’s armpit.
You desperately try to get a grip on the handle for support as you sway to the left then to the right, but Bermuda’s roads weren’t made for standing. As soon as the bus goes round a corner or brakes suddenly, passengers tilt precariously one way then the other.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” the local barks at the tourist who has accidentally landed on his lap.
Groceries
If you don’t walk to the bus terminal you can wave goodbye to your trip home as the packed bus whizzes straight past every bus stop en route out of town.
And you’ll feel like you’ve committed a sin if you dare to take a bag of groceries on the bus with you. That extra 20 inches a brown paper bag takes up… it’s easier to go hungry!
The bickering between passengers continues. The bus is crammed full, tempers are fraught and it seems only a matter of time before punches start flying.
One tourist innocently tries to take a picture of Hamilton Harbour. “It’s only a boat,” snaps a local, “we have loads of them — get over it.” Welcome to paradise.
When you see your stop, you can’t ring the bell quick enough. Bus travel can seriously damage your health so it’s a relief to get off in one piece.
As one English tourist made her way to the door she huffed: “Cruise ships are nothing new, I don’t understand why Bermuda isn’t used to us by now.”
Hallelujah! This woman spotted the problem after just days on the island — why can’t the powers-that-be do something? Well, at least we know why Dr. Brown only gets the bus once a year. Smart guy.
It should be noted that during the ‘Burn Fat Not Fuel’ day that he promoted, buses were only free if you knew they were free. Scores of people paid for their journeys as drivers failed to tell them they didn’t have to as they stepped on the bus.
The system needs fixing. These poor tourists aren’t ‘feeling the love’ on our buses. One mega cruise ship puts intolerable strain on the system and leaves tourists feeling frazzled, unwelcome… and ready to go 12 rounds with any local who beats them to a seat. It’s just not right.
What do you think? How do you rate the bus service: E-mail editor Tony McWilliam: tmcwilliam
@bermudasun.bm or leave your comments below.[[In-content Ad]]
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