Nealy two months on, a work-to-rule on the buses continues, Director of the Department of Public Transportation Dan Simmons revealed yesterday.

It began in early February over safety concerns at Hamilton bus terminal but Mr. Simmons said much had been done to reduce danger.

Bus drivers were concerned about the public using Washington Street South as a through road, which is against the law.

Since the action began in early February enforcement has been stepped up and the Corporation of Hamilton has put in signs and road markings.

But despite a union meeting on the subject this week the drivers are not budging.

Mr. Simmons said: "Nothing has changed. A note was handed to me saying the work to rule will continue.

"It's disrupting our services and we are concerned about it. We are doing as much as we can to alleviate the issue but there are only so many resources available."

The action means drivers can't be found to work overtime and fill in for absent colleagues, meaning some services at the afternoon peak can't be run.

"Typically a run will not happen because you don't have a person to drive a bus.

"We have done what we can and the union people have to do what they can to lift it."

The work to rule has also affected bus maintenance.

Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert said an agreement was "pretty close" to being reached but there were still some issues to be sorted out with Police, TCD and the Corporation of Hamilton, although he didn't know the details.

He said the drivers didn't want to lift their work to rule in case those items got forgotten about.

Bus drivers have expressed frustration about a series of accidents and near accidents.

Mr. Simmons said the PTB had been in talks with the union, the Police, the Corporation of Hamilton and "anyone else who will listen."

He added: "The street has always been a no through-fare but people use it as a short cut rather than going around the block.

"That is what is causing the problem.

"We have Police down there for a number of hours every day now and that seems to be helping.

"The union said what they needed, we acted as best we can and the Corporation has been very helpful with street markings and signs being changed.

"We have done what we can."