Bermuda's traffic problems seem chronic to commuters trying to get to work for nine but visitors moving about later in the day would be amazed to think there was a problem.

All of which would point to the need for flexi-time and car pooling to ease the rush hour crush.

But while everybody agrees it is a good idea, there doesn't seem to be much sign that anybody is about to do it any time soon.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown said car pooling had been talked about but his ministry had not got into particulars about how to encourage it.

Some countries had an express lane for cars with two or more people but Bermuda did not have space for another lane anywhere, said Dr. Brown.

"I don't know how we would do it but I am sure there is an incentive formula we could come up with."

And Dr. Brown's interest in curbing car use for the expatriate workers brought a howl of protest from Chamber of Commerce president Charles Gosling. He said: "It's very disappointing when you realise over 50 percent of Bermuda's GDP relates to international business.

"If we continue to go out of our way to make life less bearable and more difficult to do business they just might end up going somewhere else. "I think part of the problems is due to economic wellbeing these companies are bringing in.

"I would not say it's trickle down, it's trickle sideways.

"A lot of Bermudians are buying cars or buying the ARV in the form of property in a house or condo and having a car that way."

And chairman of the International Business Forum Jan Spiering said international business could not be blamed as the numbers of work permits had remained relatively steady while traffic was constantly increasing.

However, Department of Transport consultant Larry Jacobs said the rise of international business and the decline of tourism had put more strain on the roads at peak hours as shift work fell and standard 9-5 working hours became even more popular.

"A number of people who worked in hotels lived on the property."

But the hotel housing didn't have assessment numbers so those residents could not get a car.

Shift work meant commuting was spread throughout the day.

"There has been a substantial increase in the number of vehicles on the road

"Between 1980 and 1999 there was a decrease of 29 percent of people employed in the hotel industry and a 74 percent increase in people working in international business.

"Between 1980 and 1999 there was 14 percent increase in population, a 25 percent increase in employment and a 33 percent increase in the number of homes but a 71 percent increase in the number of cars."

However the overall increase in vehicle numbers was 39 percent said Mr. Jacobs.

"People don't ride bikes as much as they used to."

Bermuda's booming economy has seen an increase in commercial traffic and led to more people being able to afford cars, said Mr. Jacobs.

"We have to get businesses to be more supportive of subsidising the cost of public transport for their employees.

"In the UK they do that and in some places in the US ? the company offers a discount if you use public transport or a preferred parking space if you car pool."

David Ezekiel, chairman of the Association of Bermuda International Companies, said:

"While it is a problem, and a growing one, I don't think we are as yet at the stage where it is putting companies off from coming to Bermuda.

"We have to look at every method of attacking this problem."

He suggested:

Making all new buildings self sufficient in terms of parking

Encouraging companies to locate outside Hamilton or to house part of their operations outside Hamilton

Flexible or staggered workhours

Car pooling

Encouraging greater use of buses and ferries

"The solution will come from Government and the private sector working together and this will happen.

"Cost and ease of traffic will convince them, but not easily."

Many people now question in the Internet age why so many businesses want to pay premium rent to work in the city of Hamilton.

But Mr. Ezekiel said: "There is a comfort factor being in Hamilton with restaurants, services and other facilities etc within easy reach, the less frequent power outages and of course, the 'marketplace' feel for the insurers, reinsurers, brokers etc who interact with each other.

"The non-insurance sector is more liable to consider moving out, and eventually some insurance sector companies will undoubtedly move some of their operations people out of the city."

Asked what was stopping businesses from introducing flexi-time Mr. Ezekiel said: "The same difficulties that have stopped it progressing elsewhere ? the familiarity with the 9-5 hours, some dislocation in the team at the office when there is flexi-working and the general reluctance to start too early or leave too late.

"It is, however, working for a number of people."

He said encouraging car pooling was tough as it was impossible to have a car-pool lane anywhere but on East Broadway.

"In the end people may just have to get there by the unavailability/cost of parking.

"There are also options such as alternating days on which cars can enter Hamilton (even-numbered licence plates one day, odd the next etc) which have been tried elsewhere with some success."

Asked if heavier taxes on large cars or solo journeys might speed change Mr. Ezekiel said: "No one likes increases in cost unless they see a direct benefit, so that is a tough one.

"Taxing cars off the road simply doesn't work ? take a look at the Singapore congestion and their car taxes as a case in point.

"Improving public transport ? buses, ferries etc will have an impact and should be a priority."