The new Warwick free shuttle service has already proved so popular that Transport Minister Ewart Brown is expanding the route.

However, the shuttle remains only a temporary measure ? for now.

The Transport Ministry said response to the shuttle in its first week of service has been ?overwhelmingly positive? and for that reason the service will be expanded to include to Harbour Road.

?The Auxiliary Bus Pilot Project has completed its first week and, as anticipated, commuters have asked the service to continue, particularly to the Belmont ferry stop on Harbour Road,? Dr. Brown said.

The Minister made a statement to the Press yesterday on the success of the shuttle.

?The Ministry, in conjunction with the Public Transportation Board (PTB), has been in consultation with the shuttle operator and he advised us that it is possible to expand the service.

?However, what I am really excited to hear is commuters saying that the service to the Belmont ferry stop would be an incentive for them to leave their private vehicles at home, which of course would fall in line with the Ministry of Transport?s overall Transportation Plan.?

The expanded service will mean there are now two ferry stops on the Island that Bermudians do not have to use their private vehicles to get to. There is also a shuttle service to the Rockaway fast ferry stop in Southampton.

The additional stop for the Warwick shuttle will add an extra two or three minutes on the run each way. Previously the shuttle ran every 15 minutes or so.

The Ministry has modified the shuttle schedule to accommodate the route change.

The shuttle begins running at 6.45 a.m. at Warwick Bowl, then travels up Khyber Pass, Spice Hill, Camp Road and down to Middle Road.

Previously it had turned around at the Heron Bay Marketplace for the return journey. However, now it will continue along Middle Road to Burnt House Hill, and from there to the Belmont ferry stop, turning on to Tamarind Vale to make the return trip in the opposite direction.

The temporary service is expected to conclude on April 9. At that time the Ministry and the PTB will do an assessment on whether to make the service a permanent feature.