A proposed ferry boat service between Andros and New Providence could provide another avenue for residents to commute between both islands.
Attorney and Andros native, James Roosevelt Thompson told the Guardian Sunday that he and his associates endorse the idea and have sent their proposal on to the Prime Minister for consideration.
The proposed ferry service is a fulfilment of their promise not to forget Andros, he said.
“We felt that we ought to find something to contribute,” he said.
At this point, he said, it is very feasible to have a ferry boat service operating between both islands seven days a week, every hour on the hour. “Not just a mailboat service but a ferry boat service where someone in Nassau can drive in their car in the morning and visit Andros and come back on the ferry that afternoon.”
He also suggested that residents from either Nassau or Andros could commute between both islands for employment purposes. Either way for work or leisure, Mr Thompson said the concept allows for residents to generate revenue in both economies. In the letter addressed to Prime Minister Perry Christie, he included a document from Bahamas Fast Ferries operators who endorse the idea of a ferry service. Presently they go to Nassau bi-weekly.
The route taken by mailboat service operators takes about two and a half hours, but he said that time would be reduced with suitable docking locations at Coral Harbour or Lyford Cay. From Fresh Creek, Andros to one of those locations would be about 18 miles, he said.
Additionally he noted that the local chief councillor in Fresh Creek had approved the idea, as well. Mr Thompson noted that Government support would also assist in making the service affordable to interested persons. He suggested a $10 dollar fee or so, because current fee to take one’s car by mailboat to the island is about $250.
“There is no general discussion about development or what should happen with The Bahamas. I think this would be one issue that, if we could get the government to consider it, that the people of The Bahamas would discuss,” he said.
“We intend to be as persuasive as we can for them [the Government] to approve it. We certainly don’t intend to sit back and wait for a decision, but to encourage them” Mr. Thompson stated.
The idea is now before the government for consideration, and he hopes that it is not shelved like the idea of building a bridge between Grand Bahama and Abaco proposed some years ago.
By: JIMENITA SWAIN, Senior Reporter, The Nassau Guardian
