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‘Fix the ferries!’ – Caller on PEP Radio

-complained of tourists not being able to come to Tortola after they land in St Thomas because of the lack of proper ferry operations
Government needs to look into the ferry services that provide transportation among the islands of the Territory and to and from ports in the United States Virgin Islands as their deterioration is hurting tourism. Photo: Internet source
In response to the caller, President of PEP Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru was in agreement, saying it was a matter of coordination and prioritizing. Photo: VINO/File
In response to the caller, President of PEP Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru was in agreement, saying it was a matter of coordination and prioritizing. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Government needs to look into the ferry services that provide transportation among the islands of the Territory and to and from ports in the United States Virgin Islands as their deterioration is hurting tourism.

This was the view of one caller who called into the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) radio show aired on Monday night November 24, 2014 on ZBVI 780 AM.

“The thing is, I am an entertainer out there and I interact with these guests. I have tourists that come for the first time and are upset because when they get to St Thomas they could not get to Tortola and that was not where they wanted to be,” said a caller to the show.

“We have three ferry services in Tortola and not one of them is running proper,” he said.

He said that in St Thomas the authorities there are doing everything they could to keep tourists there and as such, the Virgin Islands must step up the pace and do what must be done to compete.

“We just cannot sit down and say we can’t do this and we can’t do that. We have to do what everybody else is doing to keep up with the competition or else we will always be behind,” the caller said.

In response to the caller, President of PEP Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru was in agreement, saying it was a matter of coordination and prioritizing.

“Fix the ferry service, make sure that you have ferries running so that when the plane land that you have connecting ferry service to the Virgin Islands. It is not so difficult a concept. It is just a matter of priority,” Wheatley said.

26 Responses to “‘Fix the ferries!’ – Caller on PEP Radio”

  • Real Talk (26/11/2014, 08:20) Like (33) Dislike (7) Reply
    Ndp will not do it unless something in it for um
    • A Change Has Come (27/11/2014, 15:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I went to St Thomas on Monday, I noticed and nice change that I was surprised to see. RT Fast Ferry not only left on time but added more trips to their schedule. The last boat to Tortola in now 5:30 instead of 4:15, so my people coming on the airplane landing at 3:30 don't have to run all the way to Red Hook. I am so grateful for this added time and will use it for as long as they provide for us. At least one company has made a difference and making it easier for us to shop and catch airplanes.
  • hail up (26/11/2014, 08:46) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    When you come off some those ferry u stink like some and old iron...smh....
    • Fed Up (26/11/2014, 12:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      all are the same .....leaving people stranded, boats ain working properly still risking ppl lives daily,customer service sucks,sigh,,,,,, too numerous to mention shame shame.. on u ferry operaters
  • smh (26/11/2014, 09:01) Like (47) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where are the ferries that the action man was secretly bringing???
  • RedStorm (26/11/2014, 09:25) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    I agree with Hail Up. We need to demand more from those ferry service. The clean smell of a ferry need to be experience, those seats need to be steam cleaned, bathroom need to be clean, all those handrails need to be shiny clean,and the people working need to be tidy, groom your attitude and also your outer appearance. We need more, more , more.
  • up to par (26/11/2014, 09:27) Like (40) Dislike (1) Reply
    Speedys should of been running to St. Thomas everyday, I bet you wouldn't be disappointed at all ever.
    • PAM (26/11/2014, 12:16) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      except they don't stop in West End. That is a BIG problem for those renting villas at that end. Why can't the ferries get it together? Further, if the government is so keen on competition by going after the ill-advised cruise project and airport, why can't they start more realistically with something already existing?? They are shooting themselves in the foot.
  • boat man (26/11/2014, 10:03) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    I must say speedy's and native son are the most reliable, the rest? Idk, smith ferry going down the drain and Tortola fast ferry is good but not consistent. We need more consistency in the ferry services!
  • tretretrete (26/11/2014, 11:58) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    @boat man is this the same native son who lives ppl behind im just saying. All ferry serives need to get there act together for better services. but i do know if one ferry service boat is down another company step in and help out. For the person that call in about tourist not getting to where there need to be if a flight is late what you want the boat to do wait until the plane come and then live well ppl sit and wait on them. then again some of these tourist come and believe everything most be handed to them and when you give them information that the boat will be leaving at this time there go there way come back late when the boat is already gone. dont get me wrong yes the ferry services can be at felt but some time you have to look at both party and we all are human we need better ferry services and ppl need to be more alret.
  • slyb (26/11/2014, 12:10) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    First what's the problems with the ferries that's needs to be fix?
    Second how do you suggest to fix the problems.
    Third name the companies with the problems and let's address those companies in a private forum and not in this one
  • zoe (26/11/2014, 12:44) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ndp must go after three long years nothing to improve toursim
  • Vg man (26/11/2014, 13:37) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    come rain or shine speedy's is always there to help people
  • fix it (26/11/2014, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    alvin was the minister of C and W two times how come he did not fix it
    • @ fix it (26/11/2014, 21:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      There was not a problem then. Things got bad under NDP. Since when u know things to be like this in the country?
  • VG 1 (26/11/2014, 15:55) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Speedy's is the best all the way. Best smelling, cleanest, Most comfortable, best customer service, best on board facilities and services. They also help the other ferries when needed. needless to say the other ferries from Tortola don't help them when they need help. Thank God for some of the other friendly ferries out of St. Thomas / St.John. that come to their rescue, which only happens once in a blue moon.
    • Economics (26/11/2014, 19:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Put 3 other boats to compete with Speedy's on the VG run and see how quickly things turn for the worst. Not taking away from what he's doing with his business, I think he is doing a damn good job. But he is able to do so because he basically has a monopoly on the VG run. Also not making excuses for the guys that do the St Thomas run but having 4 vessels plying the same route means less margin = less money to reinvest in the business. The St Thomas ferry debacle will never change until the ticket price is at market rate, reasonably and that only 2 companies can ply that route and have more flexible schedules. Waiting for them to fix it themselves is a waste of time, like asking the wall to tell you the time, it will never happen.
      • Runs (27/11/2014, 22:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Big man u make a lot of sense, running a ferry business takes a lot of money especially when you have more than two players on the same route. Speedy can afford to do more because he is the only one on that route technically, so he will have more resources to re invest in equipment. To be perfectly honest it ain't much the Government can do to prevent these boats from breaking down unless they subsidize those companies which i am sure they ain't gonna do. But take it from me it ain't easy keeping those boats up and running.
      • VG 1 (30/11/2014, 07:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ Economics
        Speedy's already have competition in VG for years and they hardly keep their schedule. Bro they can't keep up with Speedy's. Anytime anyone get sick over here only sppedy's will cay you.
  • Upcoming Service (26/11/2014, 20:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm Coming with 3 State of the Art Catamaran Ferry Vessels, Built and Design By Incat Crowther. Very soon, I might Even Purchase Smith's Ferry
  • henry (26/11/2014, 20:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You got something personal against speedy's, its evident but you fail at trying to cover it up with your lame explanation.
  • Fix it Jesus (26/11/2014, 21:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are coming home for lobster festival and there better be a 4 pm leaving from downtown. That's all I know...
  • El tourists (26/11/2014, 23:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ur kidding me, don't u guys want to make a buck? There's opportunity out there , Just give the tourist what they need and have them give you a Great Review and spread the great word of ur Outstanding Service. I'm coming in this Sat,, 11/29 and check it out for myself and report back to our travel agents in the states.


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