SNEAKY SNAAACKIES All under$3 KIES All under$3 CheeseburgerHamburgerChicken Jr.Chicken NuggetsFrench Toast Sticks cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism Weekly, 10-16 November 2023 Report recommends $25M bus project Pages 6, 7 and 14 Taking sand to eroded Seven Mile Beach Pages 20-21 DeadlockedDeadlocked Deadlocked Bush resignation may leave PACT government paralysed Page 5 Young Caymanians embracing shipbuilding tradition Pages 12-13Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. 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Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 • Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 • E: sales@compassmedia.ky • W: caymancompass.com weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Expected heavy scattered thunderstorms SEA STATE Rough with a wave height of 4 to 6 feet. Small craft should exercise caution over open water WINDS Northeast at 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts. 87°F HIGH 75°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES news in brief Public bodies spend $10M without approval in 2022 Nine public bodies broke the law last year when they spent more than $10 million in government funds without requesting the required approval first. The biggest offenders were the Ministry of Financial Services and Commerce and the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands, each of which spent over $2 million unauthorised. Other culprits were the Ministry of Education, the National Roads Authority, the Port Authority, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, and the Cayman National Cultural Foundation. The violations were revealed in the Office of the Auditor General’s report on the state of financial reporting within the government in 2022, published on 26 Oct. In the report, Auditor General Sue Winspear said the spends were in breach of the Procurement Act (2016) and Procurement Regulations. “It was disappointing to note many instances of non-compliance with the Procurement Act and Regulations by public bodies,” Winspear wrote in the report. However, repercussions for not following the legal requirements are only disciplinary, the auditor general told the Compass. New law adds $19 to airline passenger fees New airport regulations have introduced $19 in additional charges that airlines must pay for each of their passengers flying out of the Cayman Islands The rules say that the carriers must pay the Cayman Islands Airports Authority a new ‘airport development fee’ of $15 and an increased ‘terminal charge’ of $5 up from $1. These will be added to the current ‘passenger facilities charge’ of $13 – which has been legally required since 2009 – to make a total of $33 in fees. These charges could be absorbed by the airline but are likely to be passed onto each passenger in the cost of their ticket. Based on passenger numbers of 294,000 in 2022, the extra $19 per passenger would have provided $5.6 million to the authority that year. If any carrier does not pay the charges, for passengers aged two or older, they are breaking the law and could be fined up to $5,000 or be jailed for six months. Drunk driver crashes into police vehicle A man was detained for driving under the influence after he crashed into an RCIPS Firearms Response Unit vehicle on 6 Nov. Police said the incident happened around 1:15am in West Bay. A Firearms Response Unit vehicle was on patrol in West Bay in relation to the multiple firearm-related incidents over the weekend when it was rear-ended by another vehicle. Police said the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a road side breath test was conducted with a reading of .233%, which is more than three times over the legal limit. No injuries were reported. However, police said, that the incident resulted in a “police vehicle on active duty during a significant crime event response being put out of service due to the actions of a drunk driver”. Crime spike touches Seven Mile Beach The recent spate of robberies impacted Cayman’s prized tourist attraction Seven Mile Beach after a man was robbed at gun- and knife-point on 5 Nov. Cayman Islands Tourism Association president Troy Leacock expressed concern about the crime situation. “[I am] thankful that no one has been seriously injured,” he said. “Personal safety is one of the attractions of vacationing in Cayman and all efforts must be made to maintain a safe environment for visitors and residents.” The beach robbery followed four incidents on Friday, 3 Nov., including the attempted robbery in which businessman Kevin Gourzong chased off a gunman with a machete (see page 10). Also on the weekend, there was an attempted murder in West Bay in which a resident, on Gorse Lane in the Birch Tree Hill area, was shot multiple times outside a house. Those within the community have called for greater police presence as they fear retaliation for the shooting. Armed men tried to rob ‘cashless’ bank branch, court hears A Grand Court trial has begun for two men accused of robbing a customer at a bank’s ATM before making their getaway on bicycles. Richard Andre Scott and Mark Alexander Beckett, both of Jamaica, each face one count of robbery, three counts of attempted robbery, and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm. They deny the charges. The court heard on 7 Nov. that following the 16 June robbery the pair were knocked off their bikes a short while after leaving the bank by the husband of one of their alleged victims, who sped after them in his vehicle. They were then quickly apprehended after that incident. A prosecution witness told the court that she had gone to Scotiabank’s South Sound branch around midday to make a withdrawal to pay her employees – only to get caught up in the broad daylight robbery. “While making the withdrawal, I heard a commotion behind me, and when I turned, there was a man holding the door open and he was pointing a .38 short-nose revolver directly in my face,” she said. The court heard that eventually the robber made his way over to the witness and stole the $1,500, while threatening her in patois, after which both men fled the scene. Emancipation Day holiday to return Emancipation Day will be formally recognised and reinstated as a public holiday in May 2024, replacing Discovery Day, government has announced. Cabinet approved the return of the Emancipation Day holiday which will now be commemorated on the first Monday in May, according to a press release. Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage Bernie Bush said reinstating Emancipation Day marks “a significant step towards honouring our unique history and cultural heritage”. Emancipation Day was previously observed in the Cayman Islands before being replaced with the Constitution Day holiday by the Legislative Assembly in the 1960s. Owen Roberts International Airport. - Photo: Alvaro Serey cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 10-16 NOVEMBER 2023You can have 5 chances to win up to $4,000 Christmas cash when you get a NO FEE loan with RBC! A bank for all of you Learn more at rbc.com/caribbean/christmascash ®/™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. Limited time offer ending December 15, 2023. Subject to normal lending criteria. Special conditions apply. The cost of borrowing will be made available upon application. cayman compass 3 WEEKLY, 10-16 NOVEMBER 20231234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 A decoration (5) 4 Separating (7) 8 Only faintly visible (3) 9 British prime minister, Austra- lian city (9) 10 Effective (2,5) 11 Close friend (5) 13 Keen insight (6) 15 Ship (6) 18 Having had enough (3,2) 19 Rowers (7) 21 Canadian city, British navigator (9) 23 In the past (3) 24 Theft with force (7) 25 Compare (5) DOWN 1 Atlantic island, a fortified wine (7) 2 Astonish (9) 3 Long-tailed Madagascan primate (5) 4 Religious conviction (6) 5 Inconvenience (7) 6 Fruiting spike on cereal (3) 7 Poverty-stricken (5) 12 Go ashore from ship (9) 14 Investigate thoroughly (7) 16 English city, US president (7) 17 Group of ships under escort (6) 18 Nervous excitement (5) 20 Of country life (5) 22 Seize in arrest (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17471 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 17471 ACROSS: 1 Medal, 4 Between, 8 Dim, 9 Melbourne, 10 In force, 11 Buddy, 13 Acumen, 15 Vessel, 18 Fed up, 19 Oarsmen, 21 Vancouver, 23 Ago, 24 Robbery, 25 Liken. DOWN: 1 Madeira, 2 Dumbfound, 3 Lemur, 4 Belief, 5 Trouble, 6 Ear, 7 Needy, 12 Disembark, 14 Explore, 16 Lincoln, 17 Convoy, 18 Fever, 20 Rural, 22 Nab. What they’re saying Online Letters to the editor Woman on a mission Renowned oceanographer, author and marine biologist Sylvia Earle was in Cayman recently to celebrate George Town Harbour’s designation as a Hope Spot by her organisation, Mission Blue. She is pictured here on a dive trip with members of the student-led environmental advocacy group Protect Our Future, which also hosted the celebration at Cayman International School on 27 Oct. Earle, 88, was the keynote speaker at the event, where she stressed, “saving the ocean is a team sport”. Hope Spots are scientifically identified as critical to the health of the ocean. - Photo: Supplied pic of the week A few weeks ago, I fell off a ladder and had to be admitted to Cayman Islands Hospital for 5½ days. I want to praise everyone who was involved in my recovery, from the ambulance crew to the lady who brought me my medication. Everyone was superb, very friendly and caring, especially Dr. Price, and nurses Fiona, Shantae and Ash. Thank you very much. Keep up the good work. You are all the best. Ernesto Ebanks Fearless shop owner who chased off gunman: ‘It was either me or him’ The bad guys will always have the guns. The established laws must treat this activity with severity and heavy- handed punishment and sentencing. Otherwise, this behaviour will increase! Rick Nifty Shop owners in Cayman are just sick of it, you’re going to have more people defending themselves, and the sad part is someone is going to get hurt. Kari Fraser So much for gun-free Cayman. Criminals don’t buy guns legally. Yet the people are left defenseless. NA Smith He stood up for his business and livelihood, very brave. But people are sick of it now. Wayne Jones O’Connor So much for RCIPS clamping down on gun crime! Andrew Veganic District heritage days cut from Pirates Week We need to scrap the committee who decided that and government who agreed it! Yes, the expats outnumber us, but it’s still our heritage! Lilly Jane I think we need someone else planning Pirates Week. Sean Rankine This been a mess for the last six, seven years or more. It’s seems like no one has a clue on organising, planning or laying out this traditional cultural event. Seek professional help, if you guys can’t. Marlon Dunbar This is disrespectful. Nabi Millwood This is sad. Another Cayman traditional theme taken away. It keeps people wondering what else is coming up to be taken away. Donna Parchment We never wanted to celebrate our heritage alongside piracy. This amalgamation of Cayman’s heritage and a copy of the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which is held annually in Florida, USA, was an ill-considered idea by former governments. Piracy is not unique to any country. Why do we think it is unique to Cayman – don’t be brainwashed. Richard McLean So sad to hear this. When we have visited during Pirates Week, the district Heritage Days were a huge part of the enjoyment of this special time. Each district unique, and a true insight into all the history of their area. Tourists love this kind of tradition. Locals also enjoy this time as well. I often hear the attraction is for them to get the local foods at these events. This is such a real shame. Mike Lockwood made it all so special. Gillian Rudd Seriously? When it is so essential these days, particularly for young people, to learn and hold on to their heritage, it gets cancelled! The committee could have looked elsewhere to take some funds so Heritage Days could still exist. Again, erasing history? Evelyn C. What a shame to lose our district Heritage Days. They were always a fundamental part of Pirates Week and wonderful opportunities for locals and visitors alike to get out to celebrate in the districts and enjoy the uniqueness of each one. Wendy M. 50 years ago: Olive Miller performs Miss Olive was an amazing lady. I remember the international events. As a new, young resident along with my neighbour Julie Thomson, I made Forfar Bridies – Scotland’s answer to patties! Nancy Whitefield Thank you to hospital staff cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 10-16 NOVEMBER 2023WEEKLY, 10-16 NOVEMBER 2023JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky McKeeva Bush has quit the PACT coalition, leaving Parliament deadlocked at 9-9 on the fl oor of the House and government holding on to power by the slimmest of margins. The PACT majority - needed to pass any legislation, including the forthcoming budget - is now dependent on Speaker of the House Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, who has a deciding vote in Parliament. Bush said he no longer had faith in the direction of the government and was left with no choice but to resign. He has indicated he would be willing to support an alternate government. Bush’s resignation, which stems from divisions within the government over spending priorities for the next budget, which is still not fi nalised, leaves Premier Wayne Panton and his group of independents in a precarious position. The Cayman Compass understands that government caucus was meeting Thursday afternoon in an effort to resolve the latest crisis. It is possible that Speaker Ebanks-Wilks could be asked to rejoin the government benches in an effort to give PACT a working majority. That would mean an outside speaker would have to be appointed. Another option is for a new coalition to emerge, with either a new PACT leader persuading departed members to rejoin the fold or the Progressives seeking to attract disaffected government members to its side. Bush told the Compass he was willing to work with the Progressives and others, though he insisted he was not seeking any leadership role. “I am not looking for a Cabinet seat or anything like that,” he said. “This is not about me getting any chair. It is about getting the country on the right track and with the right priorities.” Highlighting in- fi ghting over the budget, Bush said he was frustrated with the process and the lack of political organisation in an independent coalition where he indicated everyone was pulling in different directions. “We are talking about spending $1 billion, and everybody seems to be doing whatever they want to do,” he said. “The people of this country didn’t want political parties, they thought we needed independents, but it is not working. We have an independent government, and look at where we are. We are headed in the wrong direction.” Further complicating matters is the constitutional requirement for a quorum of 10 members to be present, including the Speaker, before a meeting of Parliament can be held. That means any parliamentary meetings - including the critical upcoming budget sessions - would require at least one member of the Opposition to co-operate. Swift resolution unlikely Politicians on both sides, speaking to the Compass on condition of anonymity Thursday, expressed little confi dence of a swift resolution. “We have been down this road so many times now, I have little confi dence that anything workable will come out of this,” one senior MP told the Compass. Bush follows former Deputy Premier Chris Saunders and, more recently, former Labour Minister Dwayne Seymour in withdrawing his support from the government. He said he believed the PACT administration had its priorities wrong over the budget, which will set the spending plans for the country over the next two years. In a letter to Governor Jane Owen Thursday morning, Bush wrote, “After much serious and deep consideration, I have made the decision not to continue to support the present make up of government, meaning I can’t support the PACT grouping any longer, as of today, the 9th day of November 2023. “In my opinion, the country is headed in the wrong direction. Our people are hurting like I’ve never seen before.” Bush fi led a similar letter with the Ebanks-Wilks. His missive indicated divisions over the forthcoming two-year budget, adding, “Matters given priority, as far as I am concerned, are not the right ones.” Early elections? The wafer-thin majority for the government means the islands could be heading for early elections. Bush said he hoped that would not be the case and that a partnership between the Opposition and some of the PACT group could prevail. The looming budget debate adds a degree of complexity and uncertainty for the country. Government does not have authority to spend money after 31 Dec., unless a new fi nancial appropriations bill can be passed. Budget woes Bush’s resignation is just one symptom of discord among the PACT group over what the budget - which the Compass understands has yet to be fi nalised, despite aims for an early December hearing to pass the bill in Parliament. Several other key ministers are understood to be holding out for funding for certain projects. Even if the PACT group can agree a budget, it is not certain that it would be passed by Parliament. Though the Speaker can cast a deciding vote, long-held parliamentary convention dictates that she is expected to do so only to ‘preserve the status quo’ - meaning she would be restricted in how she used that power. In the case of the budget, if the House was locked at 9-9, she would have to vote to send government into fi nance committee and then the premier, who as fi nance minister, would chair the budget debate, would need to also cast a deciding vote for every item in the budget. With government apparently far from united over its spending plan, it would only take one member to be absent or to vote against parts of the bill for it to fail. If no budget is passed by 31 Dec., then government would be headed for a shutdown, as there would be no legal authority for any spending, including on salaries. There is scope for an emergency short-term budget to be passed, with agreement from the parliamentarians. In certain circumstances, such as an early election or a change in government, that could provide breathing space to formulate a new spending plan. Bush, in a letter to caucus last month, seen by the Compass, outlined his primary concerns with the budget, indicating that it did not match the ‘national priorities’ he had outlined as part of his condition for working with the government, including new school infrastructure, and pay rises for pensioners and civil servants. Additional reporting by Reshma Ragoonath. McKeeva Bush resigned from the PACT government, in which he has been a backbencher since stepping down as Speaker of the House last year. - Photo: File Premier Wayne Panton has been facing dissention from within his PACT government. - Photo: File “The people of this country didn’t want political parties, they thought we needed independents, but it is not working.” McKeeva Bush PACT in turmoil as Bush resigns The departure of McKeeva Bush from the government bench means there is now a 9-9 voting split among MPS. The deciding vote will fall to Speaker of the House Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, who took over as speaker from Bush last year. cayman compass 5 news N news WEEKLY, 10 16 NOVEMBER 2023REBECCA BIRD rbird@compassmedia.ky Cayman’s private bus service should be scrapped and replaced with a modern government-run public bus network, a newly published transport report suggests. Auditing company Deloitte, commissioned a year ago to offer solutions to the islands’ transport woes, has said the move will help to reduce cars on the road by 20%. An overhaul of the service is likely cost at least $25-30 million, the report says, with the potential for costs to escalate further, according to a breakdown of possible options. The 154-page document, titled ‘Assessment of a Public Transport Strategy and published online on 8 Nov., details several possibilities for the future of Cayman’s bus network. They include the introduction of smaller district bus depots, which would act as park-and-ride centres, feeding into the main national bus system. The report also suggests more than 30 practical ways that the bus system could be improved and modernised. Among them are larger electric buses with free WiFi, access for people with disabilities, automatic payment facilities, stopping alert systems and more natural light. It also recommends additional bus stops with surveillance cameras for safety, the introduction of bus lanes, more routes, and longer operational hours. These enhancements, if implemented, would improve the passenger experience and encourage more people to use the buses, Deloitte writes. They would also help in “pulling existing residents out of private motor vehicles onto the public buses and provide visitors with an enhanced island experience”, it adds. In September 2022, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport awarded the Cayman consultancy firm a $199,600 contract to look into the islands’ public transport system, with a focus on buses. Deloitte examined data, an analysis of public bus systems across other jurisdictions, and stakeholder consultation responses in order to construct its report. The paper was completed earlier this year, and after receiving the necessary government approvals, it has now been released to the public. System boosts Cayman’s privately-run bus system consists of 13 routes in Grand Cayman, starting and ending at the Edward Street bus terminal in George Town, and three in Cayman Brac. Grand Cayman buses service George Town, West Bay, Bodden Town, East End and North Side – with the majority driving between George Town and West Bay. There are some bus stops along the routes, but very few are indented, meaning buses just pull over by the side of the road in most cases. Fares start at $2 and increase to $5 for longer journeys. Buses run from 6am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday, but there are no timetables. The public bus system is currently used predominantly by people employed in George Town and West Bay. “There is a demand for an effective public bus system by the total population residing in the Cayman Islands as well as visitors,” the report says. Deloitte lists seven areas for improvement. They are vehicle type, infrastructure, operating hours, customer experience, transparency of information, compliance, and enforcement and licensing. Larger buses recommended Deloitte recommended larger buses with space for personal belongings, on-board WiFi, facilities for disabled people, and automatic payment facilities. It also suggested more natural light, a built-in stop alert system for customers, and a generally consistent standard of quality. Bus lanes and bus stops The report suggests creation of bus lanes, more official bus stops with WiFi, and possibly district depots – with shelter, information, surveillance cameras, lighting and security. The report recommends buses could run longer operational hours across all routes to help travellers throughout the week and at unsociable hours. Customer experience Deloitte said drivers should demonstrate high levels of customer service, and should consistently allow customers with physical disabilities to enter their vehicles. Customers should not have to pay for additional seating for their personal belongings, and customer service employees and information could be at bus stops and depots. Convenient payment facilities should be provided online or in advance, and bus operators should display consistent levels of reliability by arriving at pre-defined times. Consistent enforcement could be implemented to ensure bus operators adhere to laws and routes, and a hop-on-hop-off service for visitors could be created, the report says. Transparency The report suggested buses should be equipped with devices to allow for live route tracking, information about arrival times and seat availability, and service alerts Bus routes and timetables should also be available to the public, and bus fares should be published, the report added. New routes needed The report suggests bus routes specifying designated bus stops, which allow for passengers to be dropped off within 10 minutes from their doorstep or place of work. Routes should allow for more demand around central hubs during peak hours, Deloitte says, and should provide access to key areas, sub-divisions and residential areas. Compliance and licensing The report says technology should be used to enhance the effectiveness of compliance functions, and fines or legal consequences be introduced for non-compliance. Bus licence plates should consistently reflect the correct vehicle type and there should be faster renewal approvals, it adds. Operational frameworks In its report, Deloitte offers two options that the government could choose for its new public bus network in Grand Cayman. The first option would see all but a few bus routes originating from a single central bus depot, and would include an enhanced community bus service for the immediate area. Other communities would have their own designated “bus loading locations” where further limited community routing could originate, the report says. The second option is for a network that includes a central bus depot and several “strategically placed” bus sub-depots across Grand Cayman. The functionality of each sub-depot would be developed in phases, the report says, and would first start as a community park and ride terminal. Passengers would drive their cars to the sub-depot to take a semi- express bus into a centrally located bus depot to then be able to catch a connector bus to their destination. The report suggests that either option can only happen if there is a comprehensive and persistent effort by a qualified team of professionals. Deloitte also said that to allow for a conversion from the current privately-run service, the government would need certain elements in place. They include clear and well- Peak 6am-9am (3 hours) 673 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 235 320 818 433 686 384 1350 960 176 430 389 9am-3pm (6 hours) Peak 3pm-7pm (4 hours) Number of seats North SideEast EndGeorge TownWest Bay Report proposes $25 million revamp of public bus service Free wifi, disabled access and larger buses among suggested improvements Available capacity by district (As of 5 Dec. 2022: Number of seats) One of the privately run buses that currently service Cayman. - Photo: Rebecca Bird cayman compass 6 news N news WEEKLY, 10-16 NOVEMBER 2023Public buses line up at the George Town depot. - Photo: Rebecca Bird JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky A multi-million dollar investment in a network of district depots, serviced by a ‘semi-express’ bus service in partnership with community shuttles is one of the key options under consideration for the future of Cayman’s bus service. That option – expected to cost at least $25 million to initiate over the next two years – is the more extreme of two possible futures for the public transport system, outlined by Deloitte in its strategy report for government. The two scenarios are: Option 1: An enhanced version of existing system The first option on the table mirrors the approach on several small islands around the Caribbean, and is closest to what exists already in Cayman. This involves an ‘enhanced community bus service’ operating from a central depot. It would involve new, larger buses working to an enhanced timetable that provides increased service to all districts in Cayman, and operates late into the night to provide service for shift workers – considered a key market for an improved system. “The addition of several new routes, or modifications to the existing routes, by the Public Transport Unit with adequate and transparent scheduling with increased operating hours would complement and enhance the existing routes that are known and used by the current bus travellers on the island,” it states. Option 1, proposed by Deloitte, also includes scope for a limited second set of ‘community routes’ utilising the smaller omnibus vehicles, to operate within the districts. The plan envisages ‘loading locations’ in districts where there is enough demand to allow passengers to link between their neighbourhood and the main arterial roads where the buses operate. This option would involve investment in new buses, a new operating structure and enhancements to the central depot in George Town – which would need to be enhanced and possibly relocated from its current site next to George Town Library. The proposal – the cheaper of the two – also includes scope for a limited number of new community routes, linking with the main bus routes through ‘loading areas’ in the district. This however, would only be considered for districts that meet certain demand criteria. Option 2: Express buses from district depots The second option on the table involves a more expensive and far- reaching reform of the bus service. It involves investment in creating a series of depots on government land in each district that could operate as park-and- ride facilities and focal points for neighbourhood shuttle routes. Passengers would drive or shuttle to the community depot and then take a ‘semi-express’ bus – which stops only at other district depots on the route – to get to the central depot in George Town. A case study example of how this would work, included in the report, envisages a fleet of 30 buses of 60 feet for the ‘District-to-District’ semi-express service, operating at all hours, seven days a week. Onward travel to home or work would be facilitated by smaller buses operating on neighbourhood routes. The first and most important of these shuttle services to be established would be around George Town. The report suggests 10 40-foot buses could shuttle passengers from the depot to key locations in this area around-the- clock. Similar shuttle services in each district could be rolled out on a longer timetable, it recommends. “The connector bus network within the core tourist and business and employment district, consisting mainly of the George Town and the lower Seven Mile Beach Corridor area, would need to be effectively functional as to enable passengers to still have the ability to get to where they need to go throughout the day, without any significant added expense and reduction in convenience.” The cost of this option is expected to be at least $25 million, and would take at least two years to implement. That price doesn’t factor in the cost of developing the district depots, which it suggests should be done on government land. Analysis: Two possible futures for Cayman’s public bus system JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky A famous Japanese automotive manufacturer boasts in its advertising that ‘the car in front is a Toyota’. In Cayman, however, the car in front, to the side or behind is most likely a Honda Fit. The proliferation of budget vehicle imports from Japan is highlighted in a report by advisory firm Deloitte on the state of Cayman’s public transport system. As well as recommendations about the reform of the public bus system, the in-depth report includes some interesting data points about life on Cayman’s roads. There are 5,916 Honda Fits on the local streets – around 10% of the total number of vehicles. That’s by far the most popular vehicle. Honda’s dominate the ‘top 5’, with 2,612 Honda CRVs, 2,074 Accords and 1,139 Civics. Those four brands alone account for almost a quarter of vehicles on the roads – and the majority of them are more than 10 years old. The report notes that the vehicles are well known for their durability and reliability. “Their numbers and quality are reflected in the number of vehicles on the Cayman roads. The price point for these vehicles also makes them attractive to people that are in need low- cost reliable transportation.” Converting Honda Fit owners to bus users The Honda Fit owner is highlighted as the target market for an enhanced public bus system. The report states, “88% of licensed Honda Fits are older than 10 years of age but were imported onto the island within the last five years. This is indicative of the trend to import low-cost vehicles onto the island.” It notes that a large cohort of work permit holders, particularly those in the hospitality industry, have indicated they would use public transport if it were more reliable and widespread. Those same people are the current market for cheap imported vehicles, it states. Citing an October 2022 survey of 1,007 hotel employees, sponsored by The Ritz- Carlton, it states that more than 90% said they would use public transportation if they could. Around 60% had access to private vehicles – presumably because they felt they could not rely on the transport system. A comparative cost-analysis by Deloitte showed the first year costs to a Honda Fit owner, purchasing a 10-year-old vehicle at an estimated price of $7,000, would be around 40% of the average salary for a hospitality worker. Using the bus every day would cost them around $2,000 at current prices. Highlighting the potential for rapid increase in utilisation of bus services – the report indicates that the current system is not meeting the needs of the demographic and socio-economic sector that needs it most – people earning less than $3,000-a-month working shifts. New routes and an expansion of the times that buses run could prevent those people from needing a car, save them money and take a lot of Honda Fits off the road, the report suggests. A Honda Fit which was imported from Tokyo, Japan. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay 1 in 10 cars in Cayman is a Honda Fit Owners of cheap imported vehicles the target for public transport push Stats that stood out from the report include: One in 10 cars on Cayman’s roads is a Honda Fit. 90% of hotel workers in a recent survey said they would use public transport if they could. 68% of students attending schools across Grand Cayman travel by car. 14% of students in Cayman use school buses. There are 25% more bus seats heading to West Bay than Bodden Town, East End and North Side. 31% of the George Town and West Bay workforce travel into town from the Eastern Districts. Almost half of the North Side and East End workforce travel from outside the districts. Based on the 2021 Census, on average, there are an estimated 1.4 motor vehicles owned per household. cayman compass 7 news N news WEEKLY, 10-16 NOVEMBER 2023To learn more about our insurance products, visit islandheritageinsurance.com Strength you can rely on. “A Excellent” IIIIII IIIIII AD_IH_AM Best Ratings_cayman compass_FINAL_FINAL_6.1132x10.2107_oct.18.2023.indd 218/10/2023 10:59 AM activities, as outlined in the latest crime statistics reports and data. According to the RCIPS, from 2018 to 2022, there were 435 reported serious sexual offences, including 71 rapes. The 104 reported sexual offences in 2019 represented the highest number over those five years, while in 2022 there were 19 reported rapes, the highest over that time period. However, 2023 will likely shatter those numbers, as the Compass understands that between January and June this year, 157 sexual offences were reported. The RCIPS statistics do not reveal how many of the reported sexual assaults were against minors, but the numbers show an overall increase in that type of offending. In relation to gun crime, 126 guns were seized by police since 2017, with 16 of those seizures occurring this year. A sustained year-on-year increase of traffic accidents has resulted in 15,605 collisions, including 53 fatalities between 2017 and 2022. Through financial crime data is not fully available, statistics that do exist show an marked increase from low double-digits to low triple-digit figures. “The fact is we must take a look a how to future-proof the police service, and this means we must look at these areas of growth, and prepare ourselves to be able to handle this issues,” Walton said at the West Bay meeting. Community feedback Tuesday night’s meeting was a marked difference from those of 2017, with then incoming Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne. At those town hall meetings, members of the public expressed their outrage, as they accused police of corruption, unprofessionalism, and lacking interest in the community. This time round, Walton and his senior command team, and the wider service, were met with applause and cheers. An initial crowd of two dozen people quickly doubled in size, with various people quick to voice their concerns and their support. “They are treating my road like a race track, 24/7. I don’t even walk my dog any more on the main road because I’m afraid to get hit,” said one resident. Her concerns were quickly reiterated by another who called for speedbumps to be installed. “We need speedbumps, not just along portions of the main roads, but also in parts of residential areas as well,” said the second resident. The other main topic of concern was that of anti-social behaviour, predominantly from people outside of the community. “It is just a matter of time before something bad happens,” said one resident, referring to homeless people in the community. ‘Zero tolerance for corruption’ Another resident raised a concern about the notion that “bad apples were still in the force”, sullying the reputation of all. “I am aware that some people won’t talk to police because some of the very police themselves are involved in the crime,” said another resident. This comment was swiftly addressed by the new commissioner. “We have a zero tolerance for corruption, and it is an unfair label when people said in broad terms, ‘Oh, the police is corrupt’,” he said. “We have demonstrated that where there is a corrupt officer, we will find them and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.” Once such example is that of former auxiliary constable Courtney Levy, who was convicted of breach of trust and other charges. According to Walton, an unidentified independent body from the UK has been invited to review the RCIPS and its procedures to provide an impartial report. “From that report, we will know if and how we need to grow the police service, in addition to any areas where we might be getting things wrong,” Walton said. “I can say this much, it’s not a matter of if we need to grow the police service, because we absolutely do.” Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton Police Commissioner Walton takes pulse of the community ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Child safeguarding, illegal gun possession and use, reducing road fatalities and tackling financial crimes are the four main priorities of new Police Commissioner Kurt Walton. Walton, who is the second Caymanian to serve in the post of police chief, has been touring the Cayman Islands with his lead team of officers in an attempt to gather public feedback about concerns and potential solutions. “In broad terms, the plan is ‘Continuing to Keep Cayman Safe’,” said Walton, during the team’s fifth town hall meeting, which was held at the Sir John A. Cumber Primary School in West Bay on the evening of 7 Nov. Walton’s four areas of concern reflect an increase in those types of cayman compass 8 news N news WEEKLY, 10-16 NOVEMBER 2023cayman compass 9 WEEKLY, 10-16 NOVEMBER 2023Next >