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Anegada Express halts ferry service

- due to 'severe economic constraints' caused by COVID-19 pandemic
Anegada Express, a ferry service that operated between Anegada and Tortola for at least four days a week is discontinuing its operation until further notice. Photo: Facebook
Anegada Express plied the Anegada-Tortola route on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Photo: Facebook
Anegada Express plied the Anegada-Tortola route on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Photo: Facebook
SETTING POINT, Anegada, VI- Anegada Express, a ferry service that operated between Anegada and Tortola for at least four days a week, is discontinuing its operations until further notice.

According to an announcement on the company's Facebook page and website on January 5, 2021, the decision is regrettable but unavoidable.

Severe economic constraints

"Anegada Express would like to inform our customers, that regrettably, due to the severe economic constraints brought about by the COVID pandemic and the economic uncertainties facing us all, our ferry service has been put in a position where the company has been forced to cease operation effective immediately until economic conditions allow for services to resume."

Anegada Express worked the Anegada-Tortola route on Sundays, Tuesdays [hasn't been done in a while], Thursdays and Saturdays.

Two other ferry services alternate plying the same route on a fortnightly basis on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.

Difficult decision

Anegada is home to some 300 residents.

"We sincerely apologise for any and all inconveniences caused as we tried our best to serve the public interest even to the company's detriment. This decision has been very difficult and made with a heavy heart in solidarity with the residents of Anegada," said Anegada Express.

Several residents expressed regret at the discontinuation of service by Anegada Express, stating, among other things, that "Government needs to intervene."

"While we suspect the cost of fuel, lack of a full load of passengers on each run and having to pay staff, maintenance and the full reality, we know it was a tough decision but this can't be it for us...Someone has to make a smart hard investment we can't go back the way we were about a year ago. This can't be it," a resident stated.

13 Responses to “Anegada Express halts ferry service”

  • Bulldawg (06/01/2021, 14:29) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very sad indeed.
    Really hope this covid goes very soon.
    • Sad (06/01/2021, 14:48) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
      Everything is going backwards,. Until government members Stop getting their monthly check,.and civil servants Who support every thing The government does start getting half pay, things will continue to go bad,,,, They need to experience the pressure the people are feeling,
      • Hmm (07/01/2021, 09:53) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
        When things were great and everyone was receiving a pay check, pay raise and bonuses at the end of the year, no one was bashing the government workers who were not receiving same. No one bashed you all when you bashed government workers for working for a small pay check when you all bragged about how much more you make and the benefits you all have. It is the choice of government employees to work with government, we serve the people no matter how bad you think they serve. So do not bash them now for receiving the same small paycheck you frowned upon.
    • Manly (07/01/2021, 21:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      no tourists...no money
  • NezRez (06/01/2021, 15:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    When Anegada residents do get the chance to come over to Tortola to shop, I hope they can buy enough to stock up, because sadly the ferry will not be coming over the way it was. I hope something positive happens for them soon because being stuck on one place is scary.
  • sad 2 say but (06/01/2021, 16:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    D dance cant pay 4 D lights
  • Concerned Tolian (06/01/2021, 17:36) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    I don’t understand
    For many years Gov’t paid millions of $$$ to American Eagle and LIAT to make sure they fly. We have no airline to substitute and can’t help the ferry to hallow our brothers and sisters to come over to shop or get medical treatment? That is sooo bad and very sad
  • bacon (06/01/2021, 18:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I sorted it, the service is back on with better cargo rates!
  • Wonder (06/01/2021, 19:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Will the staff and guests at abc still not pay once they get their government money?? Everyone should pay the ferry fare if the government money is involved
  • Lay up (06/01/2021, 19:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another ferry goes into layup along with the laid up JVD, Smith's, Speedy's and Native Son ferrys. It's gonna be a long slow 2021 for the ferry companies!
  • anegada (06/01/2021, 20:32) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    May be management need to rethink what they may be doing wrong and get ppl that no more about what a boat service is all about. Not just a slow ride on a load ferry with lack of service can pay the bills government or no government money to help. But still sorry to hear that the company has come to this may God bless you all in the present and the future.
  • Shop on line at Bobby's and bobby ferry can deliver (06/01/2021, 22:03) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Musa
  • independence (06/01/2021, 23:47) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    And self reliance requires resourcefulness and considering all options. Even in these covid/flu times do you realize how much friendly foreign investment (NOT CCP) in BVI would do to get BVI out of the never ending cycle BVI is in? don’t pretend that BVI knows the way itself - bogus contracts to government buddies, family members, etc.. -aka those government fools that haven’t missed a payday in the last 9 months. Recently read that the beef island bridge was +\- 7million!!! Holy cow that’s a lot...and for what...a second rate bridge that at best should have cost a million. Get competitive - believe in yourselves and relax the belonger, belonger, belonger... nonsense that has kept BVI down. Seems like BVI prefers to be the martyr with the hand-out vs the hand-up.... independence or dependence. Seems like it’s the latter.


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