Bermuda Public Transportation Board
Encyclopedia
The Bermuda Public Transportation Board (PTB) is the government agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport that operates all bus services in Bermuda
. School children use public buses as well as PTB-operated school buses. In addition, the PTB provides charter buses and sightseeing services.
in 1945 by the Bermuda Omni Bus Service, a division of the Bermuda Railway Service. The railway system closed in 1948. The Public Transportation Board was created in 1946 and operates all bus services. Buses, the backbone of the island's public transportation system, are supplemented by a public ferry service
.
, they have no provisions for transport of luggage, bicycles, or golf bags. Identical sightseeing buses are also provided by the Board.
MAN SE manufactures the diesel buses, and Berkhof outfits them as coaches. Bermuda received 15 new low-floor buses in March 2009. These buses have 32–34 seats, fewer than the older buses, but allow wheelchair
access. The livery
of all buses is pink and blue recalling the colors of the Bermuda beaches
.
Buses run typically between 7 am and 11 pm at variable (often 15-minute) intervals. Schedules assume an average speed of 35 kilometres per hour (21.7 mph). Bus stops, many of which are sheltered, are marked by pink (direction towards Hamilton) or blue (direction away from Hamilton) poles. Buses stop by them at request.
Most visitors from cruise ships use the bus system; however, airline passengers cannot transport luggage on the buses and generally prefer the taxi or airport limo system.
.
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. School children use public buses as well as PTB-operated school buses. In addition, the PTB provides charter buses and sightseeing services.
History
Buses were introduced to BermudaBermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
in 1945 by the Bermuda Omni Bus Service, a division of the Bermuda Railway Service. The railway system closed in 1948. The Public Transportation Board was created in 1946 and operates all bus services. Buses, the backbone of the island's public transportation system, are supplemented by a public ferry service
Transport in Bermuda
Bermuda has of private paved roads; of public paved roads; of historic, mostly unpaved railroad trail, used in parts as a scenic trail; two marine ports , and one airport, the L.F. Wade International Airport, located at the former U.S. Naval Air Station. A causeway links Hamilton Parish, Bermuda...
.
Buses
Bermuda buses are specifically designed for the peculiarities of the island. They are outfitted for left-side driving and narrow enough to navigate the Bermuda roads. Like buses in LondonBuses in London
The London Bus is one of London's principal icons, the archetypal red rear-entrance double-deck Routemaster being recognised worldwide. Although the Routemaster has now been largely phased out of service, with only two heritage routes still using the vehicles, the majority of buses in London are...
, they have no provisions for transport of luggage, bicycles, or golf bags. Identical sightseeing buses are also provided by the Board.
MAN SE manufactures the diesel buses, and Berkhof outfits them as coaches. Bermuda received 15 new low-floor buses in March 2009. These buses have 32–34 seats, fewer than the older buses, but allow wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
access. The livery
Livery
A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
of all buses is pink and blue recalling the colors of the Bermuda beaches
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Horseshoe Bay is perhaps the most famous beach in Bermuda. A very popular tourist spot, it lies on the main island's south coast, in the parish of Southampton. The sand of the beach is very fine and displays a pink tint. The beach is equipped with one lifeguard station which is manned during the...
.
Fares and operations
Bermuda is divided in 14 fare zones of about 2 miles length and fares are based on the number of zones travelled. Buses require exact fare in local currency, tokens, or prepaid tickets; transfers are available. Single- or multiple-day transportation passes, accepted on buses and ferries, can be purchased. Children under age five ride free, and at age 5–15 pay a reduced rate.Buses run typically between 7 am and 11 pm at variable (often 15-minute) intervals. Schedules assume an average speed of 35 kilometres per hour (21.7 mph). Bus stops, many of which are sheltered, are marked by pink (direction towards Hamilton) or blue (direction away from Hamilton) poles. Buses stop by them at request.
Most visitors from cruise ships use the bus system; however, airline passengers cannot transport luggage on the buses and generally prefer the taxi or airport limo system.
Bus routes
All but one route start from the bus terminal in HamiltonHamilton, Bermuda
Hamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...
.
- Route 1 - Hamilton / Grotto Bay / St. George'sSt. George's, BermudaSt. George's , located on the island and within the parish of the same names, was the first permanent settlement on the islands of Bermuda, and is often described as the third successful English settlement in the Americas, after St. John's, Newfoundland, and Jamestown, Virginia. However, St...
- Route 2 - Hamilton / Ord Road
- Route 3 - Hamilton / Grotto Bay / St. George's
- Route 4 - Hamilton / Spanish Point
- Route 5 - Hamilton / Pond Hill
- Route 6 - St. George's / St. David'sSt. David's Island, BermudaSt. David's Island is one of the main islands of Bermuda. It is located in the far north of the territory, one of the two similarly sized islands that makeup the majority of St...
- Route 7 - Hamilton / Barnes Corner via South Shore Road
- Route 8 & 8C - Hamilton / Barnes Corner; Hamilton / Dockyard; Hamilton / Somerset via Middle Road
- Route 9 - Hamilton / Prospect (National Stadium)
- Route 10 - Hamilton / St. George's via North Shore past Aquarium
- Route 11 - Hamilton / St. George's via North Shore Road