ferry service.

In the first three days since the Somerset to Hamilton trial began, not one person has used a complementary bus service connecting the ferries, and there has been no increase in numbers on the ferries.

For the next three months, four free routes have been offered, particularly aimed at encouraging commuters who would normally drive to work, but the lack of response has had officials scratching their heads at what to do next.

They are hoping that the impending closure of Somerset Bridge, and the opening of a temporary causeway around the site, will bring an increase in ferry traffic.

Mike Dolding, assistant director of Marine and Port Services, said they were trying to establish just why nobody was using the service.

"We are seeing no change in the numbers on the ferry, for whatever reason the public are not getting too excited about it,'' he said. "They are still packed in their cars.'' Mr. Dolding said any congestion caused by the closure of Somerset Bridge could be the catalyst for people to start using the service -- which arrives in Hamilton at 8.10 a.m. and 8.50 a.m., leaving at 5.20 p.m. and 6 p.m.

But he did not rule out the possibility of some sort of promotion to encourage people to try the waterways out.

The route of the bus serving the ferries could be altered, he said, but it was more important for them to find out why people were not prepared to leave their cars at home.

One reason could be the relative ease of getting in to Hamilton and parking there, he said. Until that became difficult or too expensive, people would remain in their cars.

"Convenience and cost, that is the bottom line,'' he said. "Most people have a point where they say `enough is enough I will try that new free ferry'.'' At present, between 90 and 100 people are using the ferries -- normal for this time of year.

Anyone who wants to use the free service should bring identification which shows they are a local resident.