Frustrated minibus drivers are being overlooked by transport officials who advise tourists on how to travel around Bermuda, it has been claimed.

But that suggestion has been refuted by the Ministry of Transport, which said that cruise ship passengers looking to visit other parts of the Island make their own choice after being informed of all transport options.

Public Transport Department staff are deployed at the Dockyard cruise ship terminals to marshall visitors onto a variety of waiting vehicles — buses, ferries, taxis and minibuses.

But according to one minibus driver, the officials appear to direct most visitors onto either public transport or taxis, while lines of minibuses are ignored. Taxis can carry a maximum of seven passengers, while minibuses can take between 11 and 24 customers.

“There were thousands of people coming off the cruise ship on Tuesday and yet I had to wait two hours for a fare,” said an operator, who asked not to be named.

“It’s grossly unfair. It would seem that, unless there is a party of more than seven people going to the same place, they are put on a bus or a taxi. The buses and ferries seem to be getting preferential treatment because they’re run by Government.

“But the thing is if you have, say, five parties of three all wanting to go to Horseshoe Bay, they could all get on the same minibus even though they are five separate groups.”

The driver pointed out that in many instances it would be cheaper for visitors to take a minibus rather than a cab.

“We charge $7 per person, regardless of how many people are making the journey, so for a party of three, that’s going to cost them $21,” he said.

“That’s going to be a lot cheaper than if that same party of three get a taxi. Visitors are always complaining about how expensive Bermuda is and how expensive it is to travel around the Island, but the minibuses can provide real value for money, which is surely a good thing.

“The transport network only works if we’re all able to make a living and so we all have to work together. At the moment the minibuses are struggling. We’re being left behind.”

But a Transport Ministry spokesman later denied that officials were favouring public transport vehicles over minibuses, pointing out that tourists were free to make their own decision.

“Traffic officers monitor the flow of traffic at cruise ship berths, which includes offering visitors a choice of mode of transportation to be directed to depending on their need,” the spokesman said.

“There are zones for beach shuttle runs for minibuses, general plying which is open for both taxis and minibuses, and tours, which are also open for both taxis and minibuses.

“Taxis can take up to seven persons and minibuses take a minimum of seven persons for tours and beach runs. The officers describe the options available to the visitors and let them decide.”

The claim was also dismissed by the head of the Bermuda Taxi Owners/Operators Association, who said that tourists were free to choose how they travelled around the Island.

“What is happening in Dockyard is that the traffic officers are now managing the transportation options more closely. I do not believe they would intentionally suggest to visitors what form of transportation they should use,” Derek Young said.

“From my knowledge, the traffic officers give the visitors their options depending on the numbers in their group then allow the visitors to make their own decisions.

Also, now that a taxi can take up to seven passengers, we’ve seen more interest in groups who prefer to take a taxi. From my experience families would rather stay together in the comfort of a taxi and leave promptly whereas some of the minibuses would rather wait and be filled before they leave. I believe those types of passengers catching taxis prefer the comfort of staying together among their family members and not be sitting among other groups of people they don’t know.

“Also, when it comes to cost, a group of seven people taking a taxi going from Dockyard to Horseshoe Bay will cost approximately $45. In a minibus the cost will be just under $50 because they are charging by the head. Today’s visitors want fast, efficient service and most of all value for money. That’s just what the taxi service provides.”