Government mediators have been called in to solve the long-running row over a bus stop which sparked a two-hour strike yesterday.

Bus drivers went on a lightning strike yesterday lunchtime after talks broke down on getting them to stop at the Front Street ferry terminal.

Public Transport Board Director Dan Simmons said some buses were stopping there while others were ignoring it.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown told The Royal Gazette: "Again it's one of those sad days in labour relations when the union has chosen a wild cat strike.

"Fortunately it was short lived and intelligence has prevailed and we are now on a constructive path to resolving situation. I think the most productive way to resolve this impasse which is over something as simple as a bus stop is to have mediator make a decision which both parties would be bound to accept.

"I hate to take up the resources of anyone in Government, and the union for that matter, to deal with something so simple as to where a bus will stop but if that is where we are, that is what we have to do."

Mr Simmons said talks had been going on for some time in an effort to get drivers to stop at the terminal but they had broken down yesterday morning.

He said: "I don't know why it is such a contentious issue."

Around 90 buses were off the road at the height of the stoppage which began at 12.50 p.m. and carried on until around 2.40 p.m.

Work started again after Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess met with Transport Permanent Secretary Mark Telemaque and agreed to put the dispute to mediation.

Mr. Burgess could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Asked what had led to the drivers change of heart Mr. Simmons said: "I think they just wanted to discuss it and the majority voted, I don't know."

Transport Permanent Secretary Marc Telemaque said a sign had also been put on the nearby birdcage while the Corporation of Hamilton had also given up parking spaces to make the stop larger.

He said: "Any one who goes there will see a number of adjustments have been made.

"I am disappointed matters have reached this stage because the aim of the stop at the ferry is of course to integrate the ferry system and the bus system to improve the service.

"It is a legitimate bus stop which should be serviced."

He said the ministry had listened to the concerns of the union and drivers and had acted on them with the help of the Corporation.

"There comes a point when we have to ensure we can deliver the appropriate service."

One source close to the dispute blamed it on union hot heads and said some drivers were unhappy with the militant leadership of Milton Bean who is president of the Bus Operators and Allied Workers division of the BIU.

Last night Mr. Bean said he could not say whether a vote had been taken before the strike because he said he had been working when the stoppage began.

He said he wouldn't be inquiring whether a vote was taken and then he said he objected to being rung at home.

Mr. Bean declined to say why he thought the bus stop was still unsafe but said he would talk to The Royal Gazette if they visited him at work.