Southern Integrated Transport Enterprises
 | |
| Type | State-owned |
|---|---|
| Industry |
Ferry transport Bus network Aviation |
| Founded | 1717 AN |
| Headquarters | Zuid-Richel, South Sea Islands |
| Area served |
South Sea Islands |
Southern Integrated Transport Enterprises, more commonly known by the acronym SITE is a state-owned public transport provider based in the South Sea Islands.
SITE was created in 1717 AN, following longstanding criticism among islanders that the Commonwealth's transport infrastructure was fragmented, making it more difficult to travel both domestically and internationally. The company is the national airline of the South Sea Islands, operating from the Commonwealth's only international airport: South Seas International.
Ferry Services
SITE's most used service is the twice daily return ferry service between Zuid-Richel Seaport and Joseph Town, the nation's capital. The service is considered to be critical national infrastructure, constituting the only regular link between Grand Wulfram and Trinity Island. The ferries transport passengers, vehicles, and supplies including medicines and foodstuffs.
Particularly during winter when extreme cold weather grips Trinity Island, the ferry provides a lifeline, transporting fuel and food to the island from the more temperature Grand Wulfram Island. During the winter month, the South Sea Islands Defence Force provides icebreaking services to allow the ferry to keep running despite frequent sea ice. In times of international tension, ferries may also be escorted by military vessels to ensure safety.
SITE operates two ferry vessels- Polar Conveyor and Southern Horizon.
Aviation
The company's aviation activities cover a broad range of responsibilities, including domestic and international passenger travel, air freight, and medical evacuation. Due to the Commonwealth's modest size and budget, SITE leases larger aircraft from foreign carriers. The company owns a range of smaller, two engine prop aircraft, which are used for domestic transport and medical evacuation.
While South Seas International is the Commonwealth's only full-sized airport, the smaller aircraft can make use of a network of grass landing strips, which are maintained in the vicinity of major settlements, including Joseph Town. SITE's pilots are widely admired in the aviation industry for their ability to operate in a hostile climate, with often volatile weather.
Other public transport
SITE operates a range of other public transport services, including buses, taxis, shared cars and shared bicycles. Due to the small size of the Commonwealth, and associated small population, these services are heavily subsidized by the national government.
While a regular bus service operates in Joseph Town and Zuid-Richel, more rural settlements rely on a "dial a ride" bus service.
Since the foundation of SITE, the car share scheme has become particularly well utilized. The lack of a domestic car production industry has meant that many islanders drove extremely old models, and were therefore amenable to idea of more modern, shared cars.
