1942-2022

Herman Basden was born on Happy Valley Road in Pembroke and raised in the Pond Hill area. He attended the Bermuda Technical Institute where he had instilled in him the drive and discipline to have “hope and sense of Purpose”. He was in his early teens when he started as a Mechanic’s helper at Public Transportation Board. He later went in 1963 to the United Kingdom to study transport engineering.

He studied transport engineering and road transportation engineering. Specializing in commercial Vehicles and Heavy equipment at the Willesden College of Technology in London. He further studied at Paddington College in Economics and Finance receiving a diploma in Transportation, Economics and Finance at the London University.

On returning back to Bermuda in 1970 he joined the Department of Public Works. After five years in that area he transferred to the P.T.B. in 1975 where he was appointed as Director. He was described by close friends and associates as a tough but fearless man of principle. He faced some tough challenges the first day on the job as boss. He stated this only strengthened his resolve to work with his drivers which helped as he worked with the Union to reduced the number of labour disputes.

The first of Bermuda’s buses came on the road when Mr. Basden was young but during his tenure he covered landmarks from the introduction of radio controlled buses to the creation of a comprehensive Island -wide bus schedule and took on a new air-conditioning fleet of buses.

Herman took his responsibilities seriously when it came to the advancement of public transportation and services. He started out with the bus garage located on East Broadway where his vision of a new location became a reality when the terminal eventually moved to a location on Palmetto Road in Devonshire. A proud moment as the aged garage facility would not have lasted throughout the next generation. He shared his knowledge with many of his associates and persons in his employ or under his charge.

He operated a restaurant in St. George’s known as Tavern by the sea. His family called him a community man as he had no problem displaying his generosity, warmth and charismatic personality.

Mr. Basden founded a Finance Club, in 1971 known as club 10 the group began with ten members to manage savings. The club branched into investments and business. Herman handled the books and directed the operations.

Herman Leon Basden the former Director of the Public Transportation Board left us to go to his greatest reward on December 1, 2022 where surely he will be received with the words” Well done for thy good and faithful service”.

Researcher Joy Wilson-Tucker Historian