Minister promises Rockaway re-think
Public Transportation officials have promised to take another look at a ferry run to be axed from the Rockaway route.Transport Minister Derrick Burgess is now considering “alternatives” following a meeting with commuters yesterday.The meeting came about after 250 people signed a petition asking Government to keep the 7.55am Rockaway ferry to Hamilton.Mr Burgess announced in February that the route would be cut from eight trips to five. He said yesterday that the meeting was a “positive” one.“We may be able to make some adjustments, and we’re looking at alternatives,” he said.Alexa Roberts was one of three commuters who presented the petition against the cut to the Transport Ministry.“We discussed the scheduling and the reasons for the changes mainly due to budgetary constraints,” she said. “It was a good meeting and we ended with the parties concerned going back to their schedules to see if there is any way they could possibly accommodate our request.”Maria MacPherson, another objector, said: “I thought we had a very positive meeting. I was most pleased that Marine and Ports Services will be having another look at their schedules.“Hopefully, with a little adjustment here and there, all commuters will be accommodated. We are most hopeful.”The meeting was held at 9am yesterday with Mr Burgess, Acting Director of Marine and Ports Scott Simmons and Government consultant Larry Jacobs.Mr Burgess would not be drawn on the alternatives being considered. But he said: “We will know the final outcome before the week is out, and certainly we will do whatever we can to accommodate them. I try to be accessible to everyone.”The planned cuts follow the cancellation of the minibus service that shuttled passengers to the Rockaway stop. That service ended Sunday. The 7.55am ferry is scheduled to end on April 16.