ferry home will suffer no more.

Government has taken immediate action following complaints about the 5.20 p.m.

ferry from Hamilton to the West End and has put on an extra ferry to run alongside the normal service.

Transport Minister Erwin Adderley said he acted swiftly after recieving several calls about the problem.

And he revealed that there could soon be another two services running from Hamilton to the West End, leaving after the late 6 p.m. service.

Commuters call the crowded ferry "Wednesday madness'', when cruise ship passengers desperate to get back to their ship at Dockyard pack their ride home.

On one occasion it is understood that the ferry was full to the gunwales, with people standing on every available space, including with the motorcycles and even in the wheelhouse.

West End passenger for 13 years, Francis Burgess said the problem arises when a cruise ship is berthed at Dockyard and passengers need to get back for their dinner.

"Last week it was rammed full, you couldn't even get on the platform for people trying to get on,'' she said. "It got so bad, because people wanted to get on, that eventually the ferry had to leave early.'' "It was most uncomfortable. Here they are, trying to get people to leave their cars at home but not when you get this sort of treatment,'' said Mrs.

Burgess, who boards the ferry at Cavello Bay.

She added that no one attaches any blame to the tourists, but said many people get increasingly frustrated when they rush from their offices at 5 p.m. only to find dozens of holiday makers already on the ferry.

There is a 6 p.m. service from Hamilton to Dockyard, via Watford Bridge, but Mrs. Burgess claims that is not always convenient for residents.

"There are people who have to pick children up from nurseries, not to mention if it is a rough ride.'' Transport Minister Erwin Adderley said the first extra ferry ran last night and would run every Wednesday during the cruise ship season.

"The problem arose because there used to be a tender which took tourists back to the cruise ships but the companies decided it was too expensive and they couldn't afford it,'' he said.

"That put the burden back on the Government at that time. Alot of tourists are using the ferry to get back to Dockyard and that meant when the working passengers arrived the ferry was choc-a-bloc.'' Mr. Adderley said he knew about the problem last week and, together with his officials, immediately began searching for a solution to the situation.

GOVERNMENT GVT