Visitors to the Island will be able to use the public buses over the weekend for transportation to and from the airport and many have had service supplemented to and from beaches and into Hamilton.

The Ministry of Transport's permanent secretary, Marc Telemaque, said Government had anticipated the protest would continue and was trying to ensure visitors have their essential transportation needs met.

"In anticipation of high passenger movement over the course of this coming weekend the Ministry of Transport is further augmenting and supplementing its transportation service provided on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to ensure large groups moving in and out of Bermuda, particularly with our hotel partners are accommodated as comfortably and as efficiently as possible," he said.

A Government spokeswoman yesterday said that buses were also assisting the Island's with scheduled runs to Hamilton for visitors who want to enjoy an evening meal, or to the golf courses and the beaches during the day. Hotels are also using their own shuttles to supplement the service.

Bus fleets to the eastern and western parishes have also been increased.

Yesterday, The Royal Gazette observed more than two dozen taxis operating in Hamilton and the airport in business as usual, signalling a quiet return to work at a time when the Island is busy with visitors. Tourism Minister Renee Webb has said the Island is sold out to tourists with the Newport to Bermuda race providing steady business for drivers who have not joined the protestors.

The Chamber of Commerce has also added its voice to the chorus of tourism officials who are calling for taxi drivers and Government to resolve their conflict. In a press release the executive board states that the taxi industry is "fragmented by 500 unique voices" with a monopoly over a service that continues to hold Bermuda back in a number of ways. The chamber states that there has been no other alternative than GPS to provide an improvement in the industry.