Ten new buses are ready to hit the roadways of Bermuda as the Public Transportation Board continues its efforts to make public transport the first choice of commuters.

But both management and unionised drivers are hoping the public will respond to the influx of new vehicles by making efforts to improve general behaviour on public transport as well.

They are asking riders to respect PTB policies which prohibit eating and drinking on the buses, ask for payment in exact change and restrict the sizes of luggage and strollers on the public transport among other things.

And the public should be reminded that drivers have the right to refuse passengers who do not comply with the PTB guidelines.

The ten new buses were purchased following a $1.5 million allocation in last year's budget for replacements to some of the ageing fleet.

The buses replaced were purchased in 1983, PTB Assistant Director Stephen Outerbridge said yesterday, making them almost 20 years old.

"It is important that we stress these are replacements," Mr. Outerbridge added. "We are not adding to the fleet."

Eight of the buses were purchased from Berkhof - a company which has supplied PTB buses for many years - however, two were purchased from another company, Goppel Industries, Maintenance Manager Daniel Moore pointed out.

The Goppel buses have a different design - with a one-step entry as opposed to the traditional two-step - but all ten buses have the same motor and chassis, he added. They also offer roughly two inches more leg room in the seating area.

It is hoped this design will be more accessible to senior citizens and the disabled, however, all the new buses also have a 'kneeling' feature - where the body of the bus can be lowered towards street level for easier boarding.

All offer cushioned seats, air-conditioned comfort and seat 38 passengers while allowing for 12 standing riders.

"We'll do what we can to accommodate tourists and locals beyond that," said Chief Shop Steward Glenn Simmons. "But we cannot have riders standing beyond a certain point which is indicated by a yellow line."

In fact, PTB officials say some riders have become abusive towards drivers when this restriction and others have been pointed out to them.

To try and address some of these hassles for the drivers, PTB established a joint consultative committee (JCC) between management and the union.

The JCC came up with a number of points they would like the riding public to remember and respect in order to make public transportation a more pleasant experience for all involved.

Mr. Simmons said the hope is, if people better understand the operating constraints of drivers, there will be fewer angry altercations.

The JCC would like to see all verbal abuse from the public towards drivers cease immediately.

And they have been in meetings with various parent-teacher associations in the hopes of improving student behaviour on the bus.

Mr. Simmons said students as young as nine and as old as 15 have been known to be unruly on the buses, throwing things around the interior and generally acting up.

"This is not specific to any school," he said. "But, we really need to see this behaviour improve."

The JCC would also like the public to remember that proper attire is necessary on public transportation.

"People should not be wearing bathing suits or wet clothing," said Mr. Simmons.

And paying the correct fare in change or with tokens/tickets is a must.

In the past, Mr. Simmons said, riders have often stuffed dollar bills into the fare box without even asking the driver, causing problems.

Operations Manager Gerald Bean told The Royal Gazette the PTB is in the process of trying to expand the locations where tickets and tokens can be purchased but in the interim, they ask the public respect the correct change policy.

As for riders with luggage, strollers or prams, the PTB tries to accommodate these items within reason, The Royal Gazette was told, but there is only a small space available for luggage on the new buses.

Mr. Simmons asks that passengers only attempt to ride the bus with carry on luggage or smaller strollers rather than unfeasible large versions.

Finally, the JCC would like the public to be aware that Barnes Corner is not a transfer point for changing buses.

"There are only seven transfer points," said Mr. Bean. Riders should also ensure that their transfers have not expired.

In terms of the interaction of buses and the greater community, the JCC is asking motorists to give way to buses pulling out into traffic.

"With increased traffic levels this is becoming more important," said Mr. Simmons.

And the committee is also asking street vendors not to set up their wares too close to bus stops as it hampers access.

Four of the ten new buses have already been put into action on the roads and the remainder will follow shortly.

"They will be shared among all eleven of our routes," said Mr. Outerbridge.