US Navy from St. David's, a Government senator declared yesterday.

The withdrawal will leave the Island facing challenges similar to those which confronted it after the Second World War, said Sen. Larry Scott .

And at the revolution's cutting edge is the Transport Ministry which has reached a "historical turning point''.

Sen. Scott said the Ministry had finally come of age as it prepared to assume responsibility for the Bermuda Airport. "It has now become a fully-blown Ministry,'' he declared.

He stressed the new Department of Air Operations -- which comes under the Ministry -- threw up many job opportunities for Bermudians.

"I hope Bermudians will take them up.'' Sen. Scott was speaking as the Senate debated the Budget estimates for the Transport Ministry.

He handles the Ministry's portfolio in the Senate, which later approved the estimates.

Concern was later expressed over whether Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess could handle the added responsibilities.

Senate President the Hon. Albert Jackson suggested a subdivision of the Ministry be set up to relieve some of the burden from Mr. Burgess.

Any miscalculation or inefficiency in taking over the Airport operations could have dire consequences.

Sen. Jackson also drove home the importance of training Bermudians to ensure the transition once the US pulled out was seamless.

Government Senate leader the Hon. Gerald Simons , however, pointed out a Permanent Secretary was being appointed to the Ministry.

He also stressed Government's strategy had been to contract out various Airport operations, so there would be a smooth change-over once the US withdrew.

"I don't anticipate any problems. The islands to the south run their own airports and in a year or two operations here will be largely handled by Bermudians, and will be run as well as everything else in Bermuda.'' Sen. Scott said senators should have no concerns about Mr. Burgess not being up to the job.

Despite his boyish demeanour, Mr. Burgess possessed a lot of Ministerial steel, said Sen. Scott.

He had shown himself a tough political combatant.

Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons was also praised for his work in ensuring the transition was smooth.

He had taken to the task like a "duck to water,'' Sen. Scott added.

Sen. Scott also spoke on the Marine and Ports department, heaping praise on its staff.

He said improvements in navigational aids had enhanced safety in international shipping lanes. Such aids would also help ships negotiate channels at night.

Sen. Scott went on to hail the success of Bermuda's ferries as an example of Bermuda's improving economy.

He said ferry price increases had not deterred passengers, despite Opposition fears.

Last year saw a 16,000 increase in passengers.

The introduction of $10 one-day passes, which can be used for buses as well, had proved very popular.

Turning to buses, Sen. Scott applauded the efforts of the Public Transportation Department.

He said 99 percent of buses arrived within five minutes of their scheduled departure time.

Opposition Senator Neletha Butterfield , however, questioned how many bus users were local.

She also said more needed to be done to make buses accessible to those in wheelchairs.

And racks should be provided for stowing rucksacks or shopping bags.

Sen. Butterfield went on to highlight the plight of Spanish Point residents, who complained they did not have a regular bus service.

Perhaps a minibus service could be set up to alleviate this, suggested Sen.

Butterfield.

She said residents in St. David's also experienced difficulties -- they wanted an early bus service.

With the Airport, Sen. Butterfield wondered whether arriving visitors' first impressions of Bermuda could be improved by technology.

In banks, for instance, computerised information such as on exchange rates was on display for customers.

Sen. Butterfield believed computers could be put to similar use at the Airport.

Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) voiced concern at increases in Civil Air Terminal rentals, and questioned how these would be worked out in the future.

He also reminded senators about the so-called Drinkwater report on the taxi industry.

The report was being treated in a piecemeal fashion at present. Sen. Lister called for the report to be brought before Parliamentarians for consideration.