Residents concerned about ferry calamity, call for speedy airport expansion BVI News Online - Wednesday, June 26th, 2013 at 8:54 AM Road Town Ferry Dock. * Photo credit: Fast Photo/Bradley Vanterpool Some residents last evening called for the government to speed up the extension of the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport, claiming that the territory’s ferry service is in shambles and could result in fewer tourists visiting the BVI. The residents, who raised their concerns on the ‘Speak Out BVI’ radio programme, fumed mainly about sea transportation between Tortola in the BVI and St. Thomas in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands. One of them described incidents of frustration at the territory’s seaports over the last few days, claiming that people have been repeatedly told that ferries are either malfunctioning or are packed to capacity. “They actually stopped taking people onto the ferry because they say the ferry is full and they can’t take on any more. But the people {leaving Tortola} have to catch their flight {in St. Thomas}” one resident complained. He stated that the expansion of the airport could help address the problem, adding that it could facilitate more aircraft that would make air travel a more viable option for visitors. “If we were able to give direct flight, we wouldn’t have this problem. Our ferry service is not doing it at all,” the resident continued. Only the faithful will come Another resident challenged the government to push ahead with the airport project regardless of public criticisms. He noted the importance of the government holding dialogue with the public, but said people will always have criticisms. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and The Grenadines In that same breath, he declared his admiration for the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who is developing the Argyle international airport despite criticisms from the Opposition. Urging the National Democratic Party government to follow suit, the resident said: “We need the airport and we need it soon; we in trouble.” The resident further stated that, with more and more tourists facing frustration in their attempt to visit the BVI, the economy will eventually suffer the fallouts. “If you selling a product and people can’t get to your destination to buy your product, then you will see more of a ripple effect coming,” he said. “If we depending on tourism and we can’t get people to the BVI, only the faithful will come; and the faithful gonna be a few. “We cannot continue depending on St. Thomas and Puerto Rico to get people to the BVI. We have to get our own identity. We either in the game or we need to come out of the game and do something completely different.” Regarding the proposed expansion of the airport, Minister of National Resources and Labour Dr. Kedrick Pickering in April stated that a contractor would have been selected in the coming weeks. The three bidders shortlisted were Sir Robert McAlpine Holdings from the Cayman Islands, China Communications Construction Company and The Walsh Group from the United States. Share this: Facebook3 Twitter Email Print Copyright 2013 BVI News, Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. Hide Disclaimer 11 Comments Disclaimer: BVI News and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the comments below or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any public forum. All comments posted on BVINews reflect the views and opinions of the commentators and not that of the management and staff. Click here for our full comment/user policy/ agreement. LONG LOOKIAN June 26, 2013 Like or Dislike: 0 0 WHAT KEDRICK DO YOU????????? IS PEOPLE LIKE AYO IS WHAT MAKING THIS COUNTRY SUFFER. WE NEED INOVATION. WE NEED PEOPLE TO COME AND SPEND THERE MONEY HERE TO INCREASE JOB OPPORTUNITIES. WHERE IS NOEL LLOYD????? IN HIS GRAVE AND WE STILL BEHIND Reply to this comment ty June 26, 2013 Like or Dislike: 0 0 We are taking people across as it is so bad where this is possible with US Immigration Reply to this comment Anonymous June 26, 2013 Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 5 0 SPEEDY’S FERRY SHOULD TAKE OVER AND DO TRIPS FROM TORTOLA TO ST.THOMAS AS THEY ARE VERY RELIABLE….. Reply to this comment BVIFrequenter June 26, 2013 Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 8 1 What’s the cost for the airport? What’s the cost for a new ferry or perhaps simply overhauling some of the existing ferries? And what would be the completion date of each of the above options? Fact is, if tourism is the concern, the smart thing to do is sort out the ferry operation. Or let Speedy’s take over – they know how to run a ferry operation. Airport expansion is going to take years. Fixing the ferry situation days or weeks. Plenty of tourists have upcoming trips planned that could be impacted by the ferry and their decision to come back could be based on how their trip goes. Reply to this comment Frustration June 26, 2013 Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 6 0 It has been very frustrating. Trying to get to Tortola, especially from down town Charlotte Amalie with patients getting back to Tortola from their chemo treatment, only to be told one horrible story to another by each of the ferries “no boat”. Take a cab, run to Red Hook and the ferry is full (if there is any).All of the ferries advertise on providing a service and none of them accept the tickets for another. imagine having return tickets and still have to purchase one way tickets from whoever can get you back home. Imagine having to book a room if you just can’t get back at all. This is expensive, and even more, very stressful, especially on these patients. Whether we travel between the islands for fun, shopping, tourist getting into or leaving BVI, medical, to catch a flight or to visit family, it is only courteous and professional to provide quality service. I don’t know who to blame because it seem as though all of the companies are down and unreliable. Oh, and I hear the complaints of the tourists “we are not coming back”. When they tell their friends and spread the news, I hope those responsible can understand the impact. Reply to this comment No name June 26, 2013 Like or Dislike: 2 0 Smiths Ferry and Native Son honour each other tickets. Reply to this comment WRONG INFO June 26, 2013 Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 5 0 NATIVE SON AND ROAD TOWN FAST FREEIES HONOUR EACH OTHERS TICKETS . ALSO PASSENGERS NEED TO START TO COME ON TIME, THE FERRY IS ONLY ALLOWED TO CARRY A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE OF IT WILL GET FINED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, PEOPLE WANT TO SHOW UP 10AM FOR A 10 AM FERRY AND GET UPSET IF ITS FULL. Reply to this comment Frustration June 26, 2013 Like or Dislike: 0 0 I hear you, but I speak from my experience. and Fast Ferry don’t take theirs and they don’t take Fast Ferry. When I say “full”, how can you be early to catch a ferry that you never intended to take. You show up to downtown Charlotte Amalie for your scheduled trip, and have a few minutes to get to Red Hook (through traffic) if you don’t want to swim back to Tortola, and about 50 people trying to get there too. I agree with being on-time, but it is not possible when the situation gets chaotic. Reply to this comment AIrDrop June 26, 2013 Like or Dislike: 1 2 i agree… just read all the blogs and comments on TripAdvisor and tell me if you like what you here. Reply to this comment Good Book June 26, 2013 Like or Dislike: 1 0 LOL. Are you also saying the residents who called the programme were Kedrick-sponsored??? Strupes Reply to this comment Tolian Talking Now ! June 26, 2013 Like or Dislike: 2 0 I have been going to St. Thomas all my life, to visit family, make airline connections, to shop, change of scene, and for entertain- ment. From the Joan of Arc ferry, to the Empress, Sunshine, Virgin Queen, Tyfon, Sun Arrow, Youth of Tortola, Bomba Charger, Native Sun, Smith’s Ferry and Road Town Fast Ferry. Take it from me. We have much bigger vessels now, but we also have more demand for airport connections, and more passenger traffic. I am tired of having to overnight in a hotel in St. Thomas, at extra expense, after the Taxi driver waited to put more people in his taxi, resulting in being unable to make my Ferry connection back home. One time I had to Charter a boat out of St. John, because of delays in off loading airplane baggage, and found no boat at ‘Tortola Wharf’.And, paid to go to Red Hook, and still no Ferry available. Worst, hotel bookings were solid, and accommodations difficult to get. Luckily, I was able to hitch a ride in a 23′ private boat that going to Tortola. That was one scary trip. Wouldn’t do it again though. Now, could you imagine our tourists having to go through this hassle? It is a definite turn-off for them. They look dazed, and frightened when they don’t see their Ferry. ITS TIME TO GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD; WE CAN’T TAKE THIS THING ANYMORE, AND THE TOURISTS ARE SCREAMING MURDER. HELP, HELP, SAVE TORTOLA. Every island in the Caribbean is extending their AIRPORT facilities. What are we waiting for ? UK AGAIN?……. AND THEY NOT GIVING US NO MONEY TO BUILD IT WITH? R U MUS’ BE CRAZY MAY SON.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 15:52:45 +0000
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