a safe riding programme for teenagers as a joint venture.

Transport Control Department director Donald Dane disclosed this after officials met to negotiate which department will take control of Project Ride.

The programme was turned over to the Education Department some 18 months ago because the Bermuda Union of Teachers could not afford to run it.

But earlier this year the BUT offered to take back control of the programme after The Royal Gazette revealed several problems plaguing it.

The newspaper discovered that half a dozen cycles purchased at the beginning of the school year for the programme had hardly been used and were rusting at the Police compound.

Mr. Dane also expressed concern that students were still wasting school hours at TCD, waiting to be tested when nine teachers had qualified as driving instructors in public schools.

And while noting that the issue of who will run the Project Ride programme had not yet been "entirely'' sorted out, Mr. Dane said: "We're looking at it as a joint venture.'' Officials yesterday discussed several proposals, including the sharing of finances.