Motorists aid stranded passengers

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19: An off-duty bus driver was among hundreds of Bermudians who came to the aid of stranded commuters yesterday to beat the strike.

Tomeko Simons spent her day ferrying commuters and tourists around the island in her car.

She was one of many motorists who went out of their way to offer rides to people affected by the stoppage.

Ms Simons said: “I’m officially off today and tomorrow. I’ll be doing the same thing Friday if the strike is still on.

“I wasn’t in favour of the strike — there is an economic crisis on and the government is trying to do the best it can to deal with it. This just isn’t a good time for a strike.”

Many motorists took a similar view with more than 800 people, including Premier Paula Cox, signing up to a Facebook site set up to help people offer rides to stranded bus users.

Scores of drivers attached pink and blue ribbons to their vehicles to show they were offering free lifts, while others posted their phone numbers and driving routes on Facebook.

The Premier later called on bus drivers to get back to work, warning they risked harming the island’s struggling economy.

She added: “I am pleased to see members of our community joining to help one another by providing transport to those in need. It is this spirit of community that represents the best of our people.”

Home to St George’s

Ms Simons spoke to the Bermuda Sun as she dropped a woman off in Hamilton so she could pick up another car that had offered to take her home to St. George’s.

Ms Simons, from Pembroke, added she had been stranded during a previous bus strike, before she took a job with the public transport service herself.

She said: “I remember what it was like. I’ve taken people to St George’s, Flatts and someone to the airport for work this morning.

“I’ve taken people from the store in Spanish Point with their groceries – I’ve been trying to help if I can. It’s not everybody who has their own transportation. But if the community comes together, we can ride this out.”

OBA deputy leader Craig Cannonier and PLP National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief were among the commuters offering rides to stranded drivers.

Mr Cannonier, who gave a stranded passenger a ride from St George’s to town, said Bermudians had shown their true colours by helping each other out in a time of need.

Beverly Richardson was among those who posted on the Facebook page ‘Help give a ride to work Bermuda’ to offer a ride to anyone heading from Hamilton to Devonshire.

“I heard about the strike and thought I should step up and help give people a ride,” she said.

By 8pm last night the message board was filled with the numbers of motorists offering rides for tomorrow’s commute.

Even people on scooters posted to say they had additional helmets and were prepared to pick people up.

One poster wrote mid-afternoon: “Did my part this morning...picked up a lady at Horseshoe Beach bus stop and 2 others at the Breakers bus stop...all headed into town and didn’t realize the buses weren’t running.

“Happy to take 4 West at 5! Well done Bermuda! Spirit of giving rather than receiving is alive and well!”

Another woman told how she was given three separate rides to get to her classes at Bermuda College yesterday morning.

Meanwhile mini-buses and taxis were out in force to help fill the gap.

Clyde Saltus, a driver with the Island Express mini-bus service, was parked in Hamilton’s bus station yesterday afternoon.

He said: “I’ve been providing a service all day – taking up the slack. I’ve had calls from the White Horse Tavern in St George’s, the Beach bar in Hamilton and I’ve taken calls from Horseshoe Bay and Dockyard.

Grateful

“People have been extremely grateful we’re trying to do something about this. People are charged for the service, but it’s a fair price.”

Mr Saltus added: “Most people are saying the driver should have taken a drug test. I honestly hope the government doesn’t back down on this.

“I can understand striking for a good reason, but this is just not worth striking about. We’ll continue to provide this service as long as it’s needed.”

A 62-year-old retired man parked in the City Hall car park in the centre of Hamilton said he had spent the day ferrying tourists and residents around the island.

The Paget man – who asked not to be named – added: “I dropped my wife off at work this morning. I was at Long Bay later and coming into town anyway when I saw a pregnant lady with a group at a bus stop. I pulled over and she said she was going to town.

“When we got here, she thanked me and said she’d get a taxi on to North Shore – I said I’d take them straight there, so I did.

“I also picked up tourists at a bus stop near Warwick gas station and dropped them off at Horseshoe Bay. They were extremely appreciative. They were American from Boston and they were astonished anyone stopped. It’s a great shame for our visitors.”

Special report: Bus strike

• Leaked report lifts lid on bus dispute
• Driver breaks strike, vows to quit BIU
• Union: We will stand by 'Sister Jennifer' (Update)
• Tourists file complaints, seek refunds
• Cabbies, cycle liveries cash in on extra trade
• Premier calls on bus drivers to return to work
• Commuters urged to use ferries during bus strike
• Minister calls on bus drivers to return to work
• Protest organiser: Union should be more responsible (update)
• Commuters fly ribbons to beat the bus strike