Bus drivers are to decide when services will stop running on Hallowe'en night.

Senior civil servants on the Public Transportation Board have opted to "step back'' from ordering regular all-day services on Saturday.

PTB Director Herman Basden said the Board would give drivers their say because they would be "in the line of fire'' if October 31 turned nasty.

Police have already announced 200 officers will be deployed in a bid to ward off fright night trouble.

And Mr. Basden said some drivers were already pushing for a 5 p.m. cut-off time for bus services.

But he added the Board hoped buses would run at least until 6.15 p.m. -- so workers and shoppers could get home after closing time.

Mr. Basden told The Royal Gazette he hoped drivers would want "to help the community''.

He said drivers should respond after parents began bus patrols following a series of egg-throwing incidents by school students.

Bermuda Industrial Union President Derrick Burgess will meet bus division executives today to gauge drivers' opinions.

Their final decision will be given to the PTB either tomorrow or on Thursday.

Mr. Basden added: "There have been a number of calls from people wondering if the buses will be operating on Saturday.

"There's been a lot of talk about the service being cut off at 5 p.m. but hopefully drivers will respond to the public and extend their service at least until 6.15. The Board isn't making the final decision, it's the drivers themselves.

"That doesn't mean they have the right to call off the service completely but given the dangers involved, we have been reluctant to act severely on the drivers under these circumstances.

"There is an element of danger and we must understand that. I would feel terrible if they were forced to go out there and a driver got badly hurt by a brick or something taking out his eye.

"That's the reason why we are not interfering and getting directly involved.

They are the ones in the line of fire.'' He said the PTB was aiming to avoid "a major industrial dispute'', but said drivers could not be paid if they opted not to show up at all on Hallowe'en.

"We're trying to be sensible,'' added Mr. Basden. "The public are doing their thing and the Police are doing their thing.

"Mr. Burgess himself has been out to the school PTA meetings to try to get the safety message across. There are patrols on the buses and even some schoolchildren have been out at gates, doing a great deal to reduce this problem.

"In fact, this is now turning out to be one of the best periods we've ever had at this time of year. We do hope the drivers will show their thanks to the community.'' Mr. Burgess said drivers would "do their best'' to keep buses running.

But he added: "As always, safety comes first. However, we would like to accommodate the workers and the shoppers and I will be talking to the bus division executives about that.

"I hope the service can be continued up to a certain time and I think Mr.

Basden's attitude is very responsible.

"Nobody can really guarantee the safety of someone and we appreciate the PTB's stance, so their views will be considered. We will work with them and hopefully a solution can be worked out that is palatable to all.'' CRIME CRM