Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown yesterday urged disgruntled bus drivers to "think work as opposed to stoppages" as the row over the bus stop at the ferry terminal continued.

At a press conference yesterday afternoon, he said he had faith that the Bermuda Industrial Union would resolve the matter, which arose when most drivers boycotted the Front Street ferry stop, claiming it was unsafe.

However, last Friday they also voted not to accept traffic changes aimed at easing safety concerns, even though one source clamed union officials had wanted them to accept.

Bus drivers were asked to make a stop at Albuoy's Point on Front Street, so that the ferry and bus systems could be integrated.

However, The Royal Gazette has been told that some drivers disagreed with the whole concept of integrating the two systems.

But yesterday, Dr. Brown said the integration policy would continue.

"It's widely known that the desire in the Ministry of Transport is to provide an integrated transport system, that is to say that buses stop where the ferries start or the ferries stop where the buses start," said Dr. Brown.

"Yes, it's our policy.That's what we intend to do."

Asked whether he was disappointed by the action taken by the drivers, the Minister added: "I have come to understand that rather than be disappointed, I remain optimistic.

"It's said that success is the process of going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. I think the union will resolve this issue. I have confidence in the leadership and I have confidence in the members."

And asked whether he thought a strike would follow, Dr. Brown said he knew nothing about a strike.

"A stoppage of work could happen," he said.

"I would be totally out of touch with reality if I said it could not happen. We are urging our workers to think work as opposed to stoppage."

Union president Derrick Burgess is off the Island at the moment, but The Royal Gazette understands drivers will be meeting tonight at 6 p.m. to avoid the disruption which occurred on Friday morning when buses off the road for two hours.