There?s lots of good news for Warwick and Paget commuters who use the ferry.

Assistant Director of Marine and Ports, Michael Dolding, revealed that summer service on the route would not be cut back, as is usually the case. Mr. Dolding said that the new schedule slated to come into effect on April 18 would see the continuation of the 6.55, 7.40 and 8.20 night time runs. There will also be a 9 o?clock ferry and the last will leave at 9.30.

For the past several years summer service was cut back on the route ? an inconvenience not just to commuters but also to tourists staying in the Harbour Road area and many locals who would prefer to use public transport in an effort to avoid drinking and driving. There have also been complaints from commuters on these routes with a recent practice which did not allow the ferries to raft-up at the Hamilton terminal dock. This regulation meant that during the rush hour periods, one ferry full of passengers was usually left waiting around in the Harbour for four to five minutes, for a clear space at the Hamilton dock.

Mr. Dolding said the problem arose because structural engineers had advised that two boats not be tied to that portion of the dock. However, he said he had consulted with them again and they said that under normal weather conditions the practice was safe.

The Hamilton ferry dock was extensively damaged in Hurricane Fabian, and repairs are still not complete. Mr. Dolding explained that the Department of Works and Engineering was working on a plan for those repairs but admitted no work has been carried out this winter.

He said a very busy summer season in the Hamilton dock area was anticipated.

He pointed that tour boat operators pay a fee to the Corporation of Hamilton for use of the concrete area said and Marine and Ports have given a commitment to the Chamber of Commerce that they will not use that section of dock.