Bermuda's public transit system is split between buses and ferries. Buses are operated by the Department of Public Transportation under the name Bermuda Breeze. Ferries are run by the Department of Marine and Ports under the name SeaExpress. Both are departments are under the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, and as such use a common fare system, making transfers between either mode quite simple. Bermuda Breeze operates 11 routes across Bermuda, with all but one terminating in Hamilton. The bus system dates from 1946, by which time it had become clear that the Bermuda Railway would not be around for much longer. The current bus fleet includes a variety of models built since 1991* using MAN chassis and bodies by Jonckheere, Berkhof, or Goppel. All buses are 30' long and 7'6" wide. Bus numbers are based on the year they were imported to Bermuda; for example, 9902 was bought in 1999, while 2K410 arrived in 2004. All are painted in a pink and blue scheme reminiscent of Bermuda's beaches. They are an interesting mix of technologies, as they (at least the newer ones, which were all I rode) have rear-view cameras and LED interior lighting; meanwhile, the destination signs are flip-dot displays, and if the fareboxes were any simpler they'd be large cups. The ferry system is based out of Hamilton and mainly operates in the Great Sound, providing service to Paget, Warwick, and Sandy's parishes, Rockaway, the Royal Naval Dockyard, and to St. George's. There are two groups of ships in the fleet. The first includes the older single-hulled ferries. A new group introduced in 2003 consists of catamaran ferries, used on the more heavily-traveled routes. The Bermuda Railway operated from 1931 until 1948. Due to the large number of bridges and trestles along the line, it was the most expensive railroad per mile ever built. There are numerous remnants of the railroad left behind: stations, bridge foundations, and much of the right of way has become a rail trail. *I have been unable to find a roster more recent than 2005. As many buses have been purchased since then, it is possible that the older ones have been retired. |
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