Tourists file complaints, seek refunds

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19: Cruise passengers at Dockyard were left frustrated and fed up by the bus strike yesterday. Many spent their morning filling out complaint forms in the Visitor’s Information Centre or trying to get refunds for their bus passes.

Scores of taxis and mini-buses descended into the west end as early as 8am yesterday to fill the void left by the sudden industrial action.

But tourists told the Bermuda Sun they had been left stranded at Horseshoe Bay when the strike was first announced on Wednesday afternoon.

While others complained they had been forced to change their plans on Thursday morning completely due to the lack of bus service.

Michael Rodi and his family were visiting Bermuda from New York on board the Norwegian Gem.

He said: “This action by the buses has ruined our day. We have a couple of elderly people in our group so we can’t just go and hire out mopeds for the day.

“We had planned to go to the beach but there is just not enough taxis to cope with all the people.

“When we were told there was a strike by the buses we knew it was going to be difficult to get around but we did not know how difficult it was.”

Lieutenant Thomas Lindert told the Bermuda Sun he got stranded at Horseshoe Bay on Monday evening when the strike was first announced.

He said: “We had been down the beach for most of the day but when we went to get on the bus to get back to our cruise ship there were no buses. So we found out the hard way and had to wait a while for a taxi to pass. It is frustrating – especially as we have bought a bus pass for the time we are here.”

Andrea Barletta and her family came to Bermuda on board the Celebrity Summit from their home in Connecticut. She sad: “We have had to completely change our plans because of these bus drivers. We’ve been scrambling around trying to get to the place we wanted to see but it’s just been really messed up.

“There are eight of us in our group and I can say we have all been left pretty disappointed.”

For most of the morning yesterday dozens of tourists queued up in the Visitor’s Information Centre in Dockyard trying to get refunds on their bus and ferry passes.

Sandra Moncrieff, centre manager, said: “We had a fair few people completing complaint forms this morning. One tourist said a group of passengers had simply been told to get off the bus at Barnes Corner on Wednesday night when the strike was announced and told to find their own way to Dockyard. There have only been a few really angry people – most people have kept their calm.

“We have been giving out refunds to people for the bus passes and trying to help people out. But it’s been a really tough morning for everyone up here.”

Karen Lozada, from Fantasea Water Tours, added: “It’s just really sad for these people. They are only here for a couple of days and all they want to do is go to the beach but many simply have not been able to get there.

‘The taxis are stretched and it has been a bit of a mess really.”

Tempers had calmed for many by the time they reached Horseshoe Bay — but only after they had forked out the cash for a taxi.

Janet Green from New Jersey, who came to Bermuda on the Celebrity Summit cruise ship said: “We deliberately left it late this morning so we could get a taxi. There was a big queue in Dockyard this morning. But we have made it down to the beach and just want to make the most of our time here now.”

Joe Murtaugh from New Jersey took a taxi down to Horseshoe Bay from the Celebrity Summit.

He said: “We would have taken the bus this morning if we could have. But you have to make the most of your time here. This is our third time to Bermuda and we are not here to be critical we just want to relax and enjoy ourselves.”

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