Gov’t can afford to subsidise Anegada ferry — Walwyn
Former legislator, Myron Walwyn, has concluded that the government can afford to partially fund the cost of travel for residents who commute to the sister island of Anegada.
Late last year, Ninth District Representative, Vincent Wheatley, argued that it was too expensive to visit Anegada and urged legislators to consider alternative measures that would make it cheaper for visitors and residents to get to the sister island.
Walwyn, while speaking on a recent Cut Deep interview, suggested that subsidising the cost of travel to Anegada should be a matter for the government to explore ways of funding.
“They can’t get [to Tortola] to do it. The only way they can get here is by ferry. You have a responsibility to subsidise the ferry. You may not be able to do it every day but at least three times a week. You can do that. We can afford it,” Walwyn shared.
The former two-term lawmaker described the situation as a reality that needs to happen in the initial stages, at the very least.
“Government just needs to subsidise it because of the activity in Anegada; at least in the beginning stages,” Walwyn said. “It’s not going to be profitable for any private enterprise to keep running between the two islands,” he added.
According to the former Education Minister, there are just some things a government has to do in the initial stages. He likened it to the situation with banks in Virgin Gorda and argued that “it happens everywhere in small communities”.
Walwyn was asked about other ferry operators in the industry that are reportedly receiving a subsidy from the government and questioned why those plying the Anegada route are not beneficiaries in a similar manner.
“I don’t know much about the players involved, but I’m just simply saying that… just without even seeing the numbers, it wouldn’t be profitable for a private enterprise to do that, but you need that service,” Walwyn expressed.
He further commented that the issue should not only be approached from a tourism perspective alone.
“Anegada is part of the BVI. We should do everything within our power to make sure they have access to the same services like every other island in the Virgin Islands,” Walwyn said.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF REPRESENTATION THAT YOU NEED
VOTE FOR SHEREEN IN THE 9TH
BLA BLA BLA
BLA BLA BLA
He was in there for 8 years, didn’t do it. Out now and claiming Gov can do it? So why did you. Not do it Mr. It gone cabinet yet????
Ahhhh you were busy building a million dollar wall with 70 plus contractors and supporting 7 million on the plane that made one trip with athletes.
The BVI Ferry issue is that of greed and lunacy. It should be a system similar to waste collection where it’s tendered and proper ferries utilized for the services.
The guy is a complete IDIOT the ferry is ALREADY subsidised for 3 days a week… has been for years and wait was he not in government yet does not know nothing!!!
the ferry is already subsidised by the government 3 days a week, has been for at least 20+ years, so you want to elect someone who is talking about something that was done 2 decades ago and you think hes great , I pity the 6th
An outdated racing multihull could easily make 2 daily round trips for passengers(no cargo)between Virgin Gorda and Anegada in normal easterly trade winds because the point of sail is a reach. Leave the upwind and downwind voyages to the diesel motor ferries. The sailing ferry schedule for the VG/Anegada run is simple: 10-40kts of easterly wind 2 round trips in daylight hours. Less than 10 kts or over 40 kts. then no round trips.
what the h**l are you talking about??
are you at some bar?
Tourists can not get from the cheap STT flights to Virgin Gorda without staying overnight. That needs to be fixed. The NEW flights from Miami to Beef Island are $1,000+ round trip in July.
Anegada is a fine Day Trip, BUT Virgin Gorda is Travel Magazine top 10 destinations. Need to provide reasonable transportation options, or we are dead!