Bermuda’s public bus network — affectionately known as the “Pink and Blue” — is operated by the government’s Public Transportation Board and covers the entire island across 11 routes and 14 fare zones. Fares are zone-based, ranging from $3.50 to $5.00 (as of 2025), and tickets can be bought in person or via the Shorelink app. There are no trams in regular service, though tourist trolley trains operate in Hamilton and Dockyard.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Operator | Public Transportation Board (PTB), Government of Bermuda |
| Number of routes | 11 island-wide bus routes (as of 2025) |
| Fare zones | 14 zones, each approximately 2 miles long |
| Cash fare (as of 2025) | $3.50 (3-zone) to $5.00 (14-zone) per adult |
| Unlimited day pass (as of 2025) | $19.00 adult / $9.50 child (1-day) |
| Digital ticketing | Shorelink App (launched July 2024) — iOS & Android |
| Operating hours | Typically 7 am to 11 pm |
| Trams | No fixed tram network; tourist trolley trains operate in Hamilton and Dockyard |
What is the standard of buses in Bermuda?
The Bermuda bus system, known locally as the “Pink and Blue,” is incredibly efficient. The Bermuda Public Transportation Board (PTB) is the government agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport that operates all bus services in Bermuda. The PTB has provided public transport on the island since the mid-1940s, making it one of the longest-established transit authorities in the Atlantic region.
Bermuda buses are specifically designed for the peculiarities of the island, being narrow enough to navigate Bermuda’s roads. They have no provisions for the transport of luggage, bicycles, or golf bags. This is an important practical point for anyone arriving by air — unlike many metropolitan bus systems where airport buses accommodate large suitcases, those arriving with heavy baggage are advised to use a taxi or pre-arranged transfer instead.
The buses are easy to spot, as they are painted Bermuda pink with blue stripes. Buses run typically between 7 am and 11 pm at variable, often 15-minute, intervals, and schedules assume an average speed of 35 kilometres per hour (22 mph).
Bus stops, many of which are sheltered, are marked by pink (direction towards Hamilton) or blue (direction away from Hamilton) poles. Buses stop at them on request. This colour-coding is an elegant system that makes it straightforward to orientate yourself even if you are unfamiliar with the island’s layout.
What bus routes and services run across Bermuda?
Bermuda’s “Pink and Blue” public buses offer 11 scenic routes island-wide, primarily operating out of the Hamilton central terminal. Bermuda is divided into 14 bus zones, each roughly two miles long. Three-zone fares allow you to travel through three zones or approximately six miles, while 14-zone fares allow you to travel any distance.
All but one route starts from the bus terminal in Hamilton. Routes include: Route 1 — Hamilton / Grotto Bay / St. George’s; Route 3 — Hamilton / Grotto Bay / St. George’s; Route 6 — St. George’s / St. David’s; Route 7 — Hamilton / Barnes Corner via South Shore Road; Routes 8 & 8C — Hamilton / Barnes Corner; Hamilton / Dockyard; Hamilton / Somerset via Middle Road; Route 10 — Hamilton / St. George’s via North Shore past the Aquarium; and Route 11 — Hamilton / St. George’s.
By far the most popular and arguably the most picturesque route is Route 7. As the bus follows South Road and heads west, you will pass some of Bermuda’s most famous beaches including Warwick Long Bay, Jobson’s Cove, Chaplin Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Church Bay.
School children use public buses as well as PTB-operated school buses. In addition, the PTB provides charter buses and sightseeing services. There is no separate long-distance coach service in Bermuda — the island’s compact geography means the public bus network fulfils all domestic ground-transport needs, with the longest journey on the main inter-town routes typically taking around one hour.
Bus rides are charged only once, so if you have to transfer buses to get to your destination, the bus driver will provide a transfer ticket so you do not have to pay for another bus ride. If you have an unlimited pass, you do not need transfer tickets.
Where can I find bus timetables and contact information?
The Government of Bermuda maintains the primary official resources for timetables, routes, and fare information. These are the most reliable and up-to-date sources available to residents and visitors alike.
- Official bus routes and maps: www.gov.bm/bus-routes-and-maps
- Official bus fares page: www.gov.bm/bus-fares
- Shorelink digital ticketing portal: www.shorelink.bm
- Bus and fare enquiries by phone: For more information on fares, call +1 (441) 292-3851.
- Shorelink app support email: [email protected]
Bus and ferry routes are now also on Google Maps, providing passengers with route options for planning to go from one location to the next. This is particularly helpful for new residents who are accustomed to using map apps for daily navigation.
Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the Hamilton Bus Station, Visitor Service Centres in Dockyard and St George’s, and some hotels. Staff at these locations can assist with timetable queries and route planning.
Through the Shorelink app, you can also plan your journey and track your bus or ferry position in real time. The system was upgraded to include real-time vehicle tracking in May 2025.
What types of bus tickets are available in Bermuda?
You can use tickets, tokens, day passes, or cash to pay for public transportation. Each option suits a different travel pattern, so it is worth understanding the full range before you travel.
Cash fares
Cash fares on buses are $3.50 for up to three zones and $5.00 for up to 14 zones. If paying with cash, you must have the exact change in coins to put in the fare box. Paper currency of any denomination is not accepted. This is similar to older transit systems in many cities where coin-only faregates were the norm — plan ahead and carry the right coins.
Tokens
Tokens cost $2.75 for up to three zones and $4.50 for up to 14 zones. If you plan to use the bus and ferry system a few times, tokens save a little money. You can purchase tokens at the Visitor Information Centre near the ferry in the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Ticket booklets
Tickets for zones 3 and 14 are sold in booklets of 15 and are honoured on both buses and ferries. A book of 15 tickets costs $25 for three zones and $37.50 for 14 zones. They are a good option if you plan to travel a lot, but your trips are not going to be concentrated in a short period. Note that the sale of individual tickets is strictly prohibited — booklets must be purchased whole.
Multi-day unlimited passes
An unlimited one-day pass costs $19; two-day, $31.50; three-day, $44; four-day, $48.50; and one-week, $62. An unlimited one-day pass for children costs $9.50; two-day, $16; three-day, $22; four-day, $24.50; and one-week, $31. The best option for visitors is usually a one-day to seven-day transportation pass, which allows unlimited travel on both buses and ferries.
Concessions
Bermuda senior citizens with a special person’s card travel free, as do children under the age of five. Children aged 5 to 15 pay $2.75 for all zones. All fares, tokens, tickets, and passes are the same for buses and ferries.
How do I buy a bus ticket in Bermuda?
There are several ways to purchase fares for Bermuda’s buses, ranging from old-fashioned coins at the farebox to a fully digital smartphone experience. Here is a step-by-step guide to using the most convenient modern method — the Shorelink app — alongside guidance on in-person alternatives.
Using the Shorelink App (recommended)
The Shorelink App is the first Digital Fare Media system for Bermuda’s public transportation, launched in July 2024, and provides passengers access to buses and ferries using digital platforms instead of traditional paper tickets.
- Download the Shorelink app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
- Create your account to use the full features of the app. If you do not wish to create an account, choose to purchase fares as a guest.
- Enter your payment method and buy a fare. Choose a token, ticket booklet, or pass based on your travel needs.
- Activate your fare when boarding public transportation; the bus operator or ferry staff will visually validate your ticket.
- You can also plan your journey and track your bus or ferry position in real time directly within the app.
Important note for visitors: To use the app, you will need to have mobile data service on the island — an added cost to consider. If you are travelling without a data plan, consider purchasing tokens or a pass in person before you begin your journey.
Buying in person
Tokens, transportation passes, and books of tickets can be purchased using cash or credit/debit cards at ticket offices. Cash fares on buses can be paid using coins only. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Hamilton Bus Station, Visitor Service Centres in Dockyard and St George’s, and some hotels.
Paying cash on the bus
Drivers do not make change and are forbidden from receiving and depositing paper money into the farebox. Always ensure you have the exact coin amount before boarding. Adults can save 50 cents on each journey by purchasing tokens instead of paying cash — a worthwhile saving if you plan to use the bus regularly.
Future tap-to-pay
Validators — compact devices — will be installed on every bus and ferry in the public fleet. Upon boarding, passengers will simply need to tap their phone, debit or credit card, contactless transportation pass, or digital ticket on the validator to confirm their fare payment. Check the official Shorelink page on gov.bm for the latest rollout status.
Are there trams in Bermuda?
Bermuda does not have a conventional tram or light rail network. The island’s only rail-based public transport was the Bermuda Railway, which closed in 1948, and no tram system has ever operated here. However, there are tourist trolley trains and a free electric shuttle at the Dockyard that offer a tram-like experience.
The Bermuda Railway: a brief history
The Bermuda Railway was a 21.7-mile (34.9 km) line that operated for a brief period from 31 October 1931 to 1 May 1948, providing passenger and freight service spanning most of the archipelago from St. George’s in the east to Somerset, Sandys Parish, in the west.
Bermuda Railway trains were widely used in the 1930s by commuters, schoolchildren, and shoppers, as private automobiles were not allowed in Bermuda until 1946. Tourists in particular enjoyed the spectacularly scenic ride alongside the ocean’s edge and through Bermuda’s flower-covered hills.
The cost of infrastructure rehabilitation, combined with falling passenger levels and ever-increasing deficits, led the government to conclude that the Bermuda Railway should be abandoned in favour of bus service. After 17 years of operation, the last train ran on 1 May 1948.
In 1984, 18 miles (29 km) of the defunct rail line’s right-of-way were dedicated as the Bermuda Railway Trail for hiking and, on some paved portions, biking. This scenic trail is well worth exploring on foot or bicycle.
The Bermuda Train Company: tourist trolley tours
The only “railway” operating in Bermuda today has rubber tyres, providing rides for tourists at the Dockyard and in Hamilton courtesy of the Bermuda Train Company. The Bermuda Train Company offers unique 60-minute narrative trolley tours of Hamilton and Dockyard in a clean and comfortable setting. Iconic and unforgettable, Bermuda train conductors combine humorous stories, colourful anecdotes and historical information into an entertaining celebration of the island’s heritage.
The vintage-inspired coaches ride the roads rather than the rails, with opportunities to hop off and explore along the way. The Hamilton Train Tour visits historic spots around the city before heading to the Bermuda Botanical Gardens, Camden, and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. Royal Naval Dockyard tours visit the National Museum of Bermuda and Clocktower Mall, then cruise to Lagoon Park and the Yellow Fever Cemetery.
The Bermuda Train Company is also available for special events including weddings, birthday parties, school and summer camp outings, or any other type of private function. Check the official website at bermuda.com/bermuda-train-company for current schedules and booking information.
Free electric shuttle at the Dockyard
There is also a 20-minute free loop offered in electric trams within the Dockyard that starts from the King’s Wharf cruise terminal and returns. The trams operate throughout the daytime, and you can hop on and hop off at several points within the Dockyard complex. This tram is operated by the Dockyard management — not the Bermuda Train Company — and is free of charge.
The Bermuda Triangle Tram Tour
The Bermuda Triangle Tram Tour departs from either the Hamilton Ferry Terminal or the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI). Passengers board the tram and enjoy the view while a knowledgeable tour guide points out the main historical sights in Hamilton. The Bermuda Triangle Tram Tour runs from April through November. Bookings can be made at buei.bm/tramtour.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a credit or debit card directly on Bermuda buses?
Validators are being installed on every bus and ferry in the public fleet. Once fully deployed, passengers will simply need to tap their phone, debit or credit card, contactless transportation pass, or digital ticket on the validator to confirm their fare payment. In the meantime, pay using the Shorelink app, tokens, ticket booklets, or exact coins. Check gov.bm for the latest rollout update.
Is the bus pass valid on ferries too?
All fares, tokens, tickets, and passes are the same for buses and ferries. A multi-day transportation pass therefore gives you unlimited travel on both modes of public transport, making it excellent value if you plan to explore the island widely.
Do children travel free on Bermuda buses?
Bermuda senior citizens with a special person’s card travel free, as do children under the age of five. Children aged 5 to 15 pay $2.75 for all zones (as of 2025), regardless of the distance travelled.
Can I bring my luggage on the bus?
Bermuda buses are specifically designed to navigate the island’s narrow roads. They have no provisions for the transport of luggage, bicycles, or golf bags. If you are travelling to or from the airport with large bags, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the practical option.
Where does the bus network start and finish?
Most buses leave from the Central Terminal on Washington Street, next to City Hall in Hamilton. All but one route starts from the bus terminal in Hamilton, making it the natural hub for planning any journey around the island.
How do I know which direction a bus stop serves?
Bus stops are colour-coded. If the pole is pink, the bus is heading towards Hamilton; if it is blue, it is heading away from Hamilton, either east or west. This simple system makes it easy to board in the right direction without needing to check a map each time.
Is there a tram network in Bermuda?
There is no fixed tram or light rail network in Bermuda. The island’s historic Bermuda Railway closed in 1948 and was never replaced by a tram system. A free 20-minute electric tram loop does operate within the Royal Naval Dockyard, starting from the King’s Wharf cruise terminal and running throughout the daytime. Tourist trolley trains also run in Hamilton and Dockyard via the Bermuda Train Company.
Where can I get the latest bus schedule?
The most up-to-date schedules are published by the Government of Bermuda at gov.bm/bus-routes-and-maps. You can also plan your journey and track buses in real time using the Shorelink app. For telephone enquiries, call +1 (441) 292-3851.