A three-month free ferry trial for West End passengers is set to be abandoned -- after less than three weeks.

From May 1, unless there is a rise in passenger numbers, there will be no more free ferries for residents using four routes between the West End and Hamilton.

And from this Friday free buses linking the ferries will also stop.

The later, 6 p.m. ferry to Watford Bridge and Dockyard, will continue, but it is unclear whether it will now make additional stops to Cavello Bay and Somerset Bridge after the bus service stops on Friday.

Transport Minister Wayne Furbert announced the decision last night -- 24 hours before the temporary causeway over Somerset Bridge was due to open. The trial was intended to reduce traffic at the bridge while repairs were on-going.

Mr. Furbert made the decision after expressing disappointment that there has been no noticeable increase in people using the morning and evening `commuter runs'.

He said no one is riding the free bus service that was laid on for Somerset residents to link with the ferry service.

"We tried it and found there is no demonstrated need for it. So we are redirecting resources to service areas where they are needed,'' he said.

The trial was launched on April 13 in a blaze of publicity, with Mr. Furbert saying the scheme -- which affected the ferries arriving at Hamilton at 8.10 a.m. and 8.50 a.m. and leaving Hamilton at 5.20 p.m. and 6 p.m. -- would hopefully encourage motorists on to the waterways.

It was also anticipated that possible congestion as renovations of Somerset Bridge began would force people to re-think their commuting and use the ferries instead of being stuck in traffic jams.

But the two-way temporary causeway at Somerset Bridge -- which is due to open today -- is expected not to cause traffic problems.

Last year the 6 p.m. ferry made additional stops at Cavello Bay and Somerset Bridge.

Marine and Ports assistant director Mike Dolding said they were not included this year because they wanted to encourage cruise ship passengers to use the 6 p.m. service in preference to the 5.20 p.m. ferry.