Free bus and ferry rides could be in place by the Fall said Works Minister Derrick Burgess who has denied claims from party colleagues that Premier Ewart Brown is elitist.

He spoke out after former Attorney General Phil Perinchief said Dr. Brown had moved the Progressive Labour Party away from its core values.

But Mr. Burgess said there were many initiatives promised in the December election manifesto that would make life easier for ordinary people, such as free Bermuda College education, free buses and ferries, interest-free downpayment loans for homes and free child day care.

On free buses he told The Royal Gazette: "That's coming very shortly, maybe in September this year."

On free childcare for struggling families he said: "I am not the minister responsible, all I can say is it is coming. And I don't mean way down the road. I mean coming shortly."

He said that could work out to a saving of more than $7,800 a year for some families.

Last week Health Minister Nelson Bascome said that FutureCare, a programme to provide health coverage for seniors, would be ready by April 2009.

Mr. Perinchief had also claimed that a poverty line study, commissioned by the Premier, had been sat on because it was politically volatile as it showed between 25 percent and 30 percent of the population fell below it.

Mr. Burgess replied: "We certainly haven't been sitting on it for over a year.

"We have it. I am sure it will be released shortly. I am pretty confident. It doesn't benefit us to sit on it, why?"

Bermuda's taxation system levies duty on food and fuel meaning the poor pay disproportionatly to their income. With both soaring in price worldwide, concern has been expressed for those struggling to survive in Bermuda.

Mr. Burgess said: "That's something every government in the world is wrestling with right now. How do we deal with it?

"In Bermuda we all have to buy that same loaf of bread which costs five bucks. So we have to discuss that. That is something I am sure this Government will be tackling, one way or another."

He said Government had the rent-geared-to-income scheme, due to be put in place, where Government tenants would only have to pay 25 percent of their income.

Asked why promises had not been delivered yet, such as FutureCare, free day care, free buses and interest-free downpayment loans Mr. Burgess said: "When we put a platform in place it's for a parliamentary period, which under the UK system is five years.

"Everything we have in the platform will not be put in place for the first six or nine months."

Asked about those who were working but still struggling to make ends meet Mr. Burgess said they could get benefits too.

Free Bermuda College education for Bermudians is due to start in September.

Mr. Burgess said: "The best way out of poverty is to educate your people, that's the first step. That is what this Government is embarking on."

Mr. Burgess also said a lot had been done already for struggling Bermudians and this year Financial Assistance had increased most benefits.

They include:

• The adult day care benefit up by 97 percent.

• The Belco allowance up by as much as 76 percent.

• Disability allowance up by 20 percent.

• Eye exam coverage up by 33 percent.

• Eye glasses coverage up by 75 percent.

He added that dental care has now been included in claimable allowances.

"Nursing home allowance has increased and the rents we assist the needy with have increased - up to 55 percent per month," said Mr. Burgess.

He added that from last year, war veterans pensions went up 100 percent and the home guard was included for the first time while Government had also increased dental benefits for seniors and created an eye care benefit.

"For our seniors since Dr. Brown has been in place as Premier we have the free car licences, they get free bus rides and very shortly all the students will get free bus rides."

On accusations that the Premier was autocratic Mr. Burgess said: "I have served under Premier Scott and Dr. Brown and I haven't seen that in either Premierships. If they give you a job they expect you to do it.

"They don't come to the Cabinet ordering you around, you are men and women, on equal terms. It is not any dictatorship.

"Dr. Brown encourages you to be open with your colleagues and discuss and challenge each other within."