Exploring Bermuda: Navigating The Island's Unique Bus Network

Bermuda's bus system is extensive, with 11 routes and 14 zones, covering almost every corner of the island. The island's buses are pink and blue and are owned and operated by the Department of Public Transportation. The bus network is popular with both locals and tourists, providing a convenient, comfortable and efficient mode of transport. The central bus terminal is located in Hamilton, with most routes starting and ending here. Bus stops are identified by pink and blue poles, with pink indicating inbound services to Hamilton and blue indicating outbound services.

Bus routes and schedules

Bermuda's bus service, Bermuda Breeze Bus, provides an extensive network of routes, allowing commuters to reach almost every corner of the island. The buses are all pink in colour, inspired by the pink sands of Bermuda's beaches. The air-conditioned buses are a popular mode of transport for both locals and visitors.

Bermuda's bus network consists of 11 routes and 14 zones, with each zone covering approximately 2 miles or 3.2 km. The central hub for the bus service is the Hamilton Bus Terminal, located on Washington Street, next to the City Hall. From here, buses travel to various destinations across the island and back. The only exception is Route #6, which operates between St. George's Town and St. David's Island.

The bus stops are identified by pink and blue poles. A pink pole indicates that the bus is heading towards the City of Hamilton, while a blue pole shows that the bus is travelling away from the city. It is important to note that buses only stop when requested, so passengers need to stand by the pole to be seen by the driver.

Route #7: Hamilton - Dockyard

This route takes passengers along the picturesque south shore beaches, including Horseshoe Bay, Church Bay, and Warwick Long Bay. The one-way travel time is approximately 62 minutes. On weekdays, the first bus from Hamilton departs at 7 am, while the last bus leaves at 9:15 pm. On Saturdays, the first bus is at 8 am, and the last bus is at 9:15 pm. On Sundays, the first bus is at 9:30 am, and the last bus is at 4:30 pm.

Route #8: Hamilton - Dockyard

This route takes a more inland path, offering views of the country landscapes and traditional housing architecture. The one-way travel time is also about 62 minutes. From Monday to Saturday, the first bus from Hamilton is at 6:45 am, and the last bus is at 10:45 pm. On Sundays, the first bus is at 9:45 am, and the last bus is at 6:35 pm.

Route #1: Hamilton - St. George

This route passes through Tucker's Point, John Smith's Bay, Crystal Caves, and Grotto Bay. It takes approximately 60 minutes one-way. From Monday to Saturday, the first bus from Hamilton is at 9:15 am, and the last bus is at 4:15 pm. On Sundays, the first bus is at 8:15 am, and the last bus is at 5 pm.

Route #3: Hamilton - St. George

Route #3 also goes to St. George but takes a different path via Middle Road, Devils Hole, and Crystal Caves. The one-way travel time is about 58 minutes. From Monday to Saturday, the first bus from Hamilton is at 7:15 am, and the last bus is at 6:15 pm. On Sundays, the first bus is at 11:30 am, and the last bus is at 5:30 pm.

Route #10: Hamilton - St. George

This route is a more direct option, taking the north road and passing the Aquarium and Perfumery. The one-way travel time is approximately 50 minutes. From Monday to Saturday, the first bus from Hamilton is at 7:15 am, and the last bus is at 9:15 pm. On Sundays, the first bus is at 9:15 am, and the last bus is at 5:15 pm.

Route #11: Hamilton - St. George

Route #11 also takes the north road and passes by Blackwatch Pass, the Aquarium, and Perfumery. The one-way travel time is about 50 minutes. From Monday to Saturday, the first bus from Hamilton is at 6:45 am, and the last bus is at 11:45 pm. On Sundays, the first bus is at 7:45 am, and the last bus is at 10:45 pm.

Route #6: St. George - St. David's

This is the only route that connects St. George's Town with St. David's. The bus trip takes around 25 minutes one-way. From Monday to Saturday, the first bus leaves St. George at 9:45 am, and the last bus is at 8:45 pm. From St. David's, the first bus departs at 10:10 am, and the last bus is at 9:10 pm. It is important to note that there is no Sunday service on this route.

It is recommended to check the Bermuda Government's website for the most up-to-date and detailed bus schedules, as well as any adjustments during holidays and weekends.

Fares and payment methods

Bermuda's bus fares can be paid in cash, with a transport pass, a ticket (which comes in a booklet of 15), or by tokens (which look like circular metallic coins). The cost of your bus fare depends on the number of zones you travel through. Bus zones are the different sections in a bus route, with each zone covering about 2 miles. If you are paying in cash, you must tender the exact fare, as no change is given. US currency (like quarters and dollar bills) and Bermuda currency are both accepted on buses.

If you are travelling through more than three zones, it is recommended that you buy a 14-zone pass, tickets, or tokens. The transportation pass is a convenient and economical option if you plan to use public buses and/or ferries several times a day. It gives you unlimited hop-on-and-off access to both public buses and ferries during its validity period, which can range from a day to two days, three days, seven days, etc.

For one-time travel between two places, cash or tokens are a cheaper option than a pass. You can also buy a pack of 15 tickets, which can be used for 15 one-way rides. Passes, tickets, and tokens can be purchased at several places, including Visitor Service Centres, post offices, and bus/ferry terminals. They cannot be purchased on board a bus.

Transfers between buses are free as long as you take the immediately available next bus on the connecting route. To avail of a free transfer, ask for a transfer slip from the first driver when you pay the fare. Show the transfer slip to the next driver, who will confirm that you are making a continuous journey. The transfer slip has a timestamp and destination zone information printed on it. If the time expires by the time you take the next bus, you will need to pay the full fare for the second leg of your journey unless you have a pass.

Bus stops and poles

Bermuda's bus stops are identified by their poles, which are coloured either pink or blue. These colours indicate the direction of the bus: a pink pole means the bus is travelling inbound to the City of Hamilton, while a blue pole indicates outbound travel from the city. The bus terminal in Hamilton is located on Washington Street, next to the City Hall.

The poles are often the only indication of a bus stop, as some stops consist of just a pole jutting out of the ground, while others have small concrete kiosks where passengers can wait. The buses themselves are also coloured according to this system, being pink with blue stripes.

To stop a bus, you need to stand by the pole so that the driver can see you. Buses will only stop if there is someone waiting at the bus stop or if someone on the bus requests a stop. To request a stop, you need to press a buzzer inside the bus.

The final destination of each bus is displayed at the front of the bus, so you can be sure you're getting on the right one. However, the bus stops do not display timetables or route maps, and there are no displays inside the bus to indicate the upcoming stops. Therefore, it is recommended that you inform the driver of your desired stop when you board and try to sit near them. Most drivers will be happy to call out your stop, but they may forget during busy times.

Luggage restrictions

Bermuda's bus service is quite strict about luggage restrictions. The bus drivers will not allow anything large, such as a suitcase, luggage, golf kit, beach chairs/umbrellas, or a stroller. Only small bags that can fit on your lap without taking up additional space are permitted. If you are travelling with a stroller, it is unlikely that the bus driver will allow it on the bus, especially during busy times.

If you are travelling with a small duffel bag, it is permitted as long as it can sit on your lap without causing any obstructions to other passengers. The same rule applies to backpacks, which are allowed as long as they are small and can fit on your lap.

If you are travelling with a carry-on suitcase, it is generally not considered a small bag and is too big for Bermuda's public buses. However, if it can fit on your lap without causing any obstructions, it may be allowed.

It is important to note that buses in Bermuda do not have luggage compartments or overhead racks. Therefore, it is essential to follow the luggage restrictions to ensure a comfortable and convenient journey for all passengers.

Transfers and connections

Bermuda's bus system offers a convenient, comfortable, and efficient mode of public transportation within the island. The bus service network is extensive, and almost all corners of the island can be reached by bus. All buses are air-conditioned and are very popular with both locals and visitors.

Bermuda's bus system offers free transfers between different bus routes, making it easy for passengers to reach their final destination. To avail of free transfers, passengers should request a transfer slip from the first driver when paying the fare. This slip should then be shown to the next driver, confirming that the passenger is making a continuous journey. The transfer slip has a timestamp and destination zone information printed on it.

Transfers are only valid for the immediately available next bus on the connecting route, and stopovers are not allowed. If the time limit on the transfer slip expires before the passenger boards the next bus, they will need to pay the full fare for the second leg of the journey, unless they have a transportation pass. It is important to note that free transfers do not apply when transferring from a ferry to a bus or vice versa.

When transferring between buses, passengers should look for the pink and blue poles that indicate the direction of the bus route. A pink pole indicates that the bus is heading towards the Central Bus Terminal in Hamilton, while a blue pole indicates that the bus is travelling outbound from Hamilton to other destinations.

The Central Bus Terminal in Hamilton is the most important bus station in Bermuda, with various bus routes originating and terminating here. It is located on Washington Street, next to the City Hall, and displays bus schedules and route information. Passengers can also collect a printed bus schedule with a map from this location.

When transferring between buses, it is helpful to know that Bermuda's bus routes are divided into 14 bus zones, each covering approximately 2 miles (3.2 km). The fare depends on the number of zones travelled, with a lower fare for up to 3 zones and a higher "all-zone" or "14-zone" fare for more than 3 zones.

Overall, Bermuda's bus system offers a convenient and efficient way to get around the island, and the free transfer system allows passengers to easily connect between different bus routes to reach their desired destination.

Frequently asked questions