The planned new ferries could take up to 30 percent of motorists off West End roads.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said the new $8 million fleet of hi-tech catamarans would lure many people out of their vehicles.

And he said commuters would get a chance to air their views on the service during an extensive review and local study, before the order is placed for the four vessels.

He was speaking after last week's Transport Department visit to a high speed ferry conference in Boston.

The six-strong team have now come back with a list of requirements and a study period will now come up with the final draft of what the new fleet should have.

"We have come back with requirements that we are going to put on a wish list,'' he said. "We are going to massage that for months, getting input from the public and then we will be able to see what is best for Bermuda.'' Central to the new ferries, which the Government is hoping to bring on line in 2001, will be a user-friendly schedule linked to ground transportation such as minibuses.

A review will be made of the docking facilities and there will be fast direct option along with "all-stops'' services.

The catamarans reviewed can move at 25 knots -- twice the top speed of the current fleet -- with a capacity for 250 people and cycles. They produce a low wake and are more stable than a mono-hull for better stability in poor weather.

"We want to provide a door to desk service, if we provide comfort and convenience we will get people out of their cars,'' said the Minister.

"The service is not user-friendly at the moment, people have to fit the schedule -- we intend to reverse that.'' Last night Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley praised the initiative, claiming that it was originally a UBP idea. But he added that the scheme was not being moved forward by a year as Dr. Brown had originally claimed.

"I'm certainly not going to poo-poo it -- I'm glad it's being used,'' Mr.

Adderley said.

"But I don't see the money being allocated for it in this year's Budget. We didn't have the money set aside this year but it was going to be in the 2000/2001 budget.

"The problem is there's a certain amount of lead time between ordering the ferries and getting them here. But if the Minister can bring it forward then more power to him -- I give him all the credit.''