Island.

The Upper House approved the "Strategies to Improve Transportation Mobility, Road Safety and Vehicle Emissions'' report, designed to take transportation into the next century.

The future of transport in Bermuda depends on a community-wide effort, Sen.

Lawrence Scott (UBP) said yesterday.

Sen. Scott was kicking off the Upper House take note debate on the report.

People had to change their mind set and be prepared to take a holistic approach to the problem of transportation or the suggestions in the report would never be workable, he stressed.

The Island's transportation scheme was workable and efficient but it needed a reshape because of the prosperity Bermuda had enjoyed, he continued.

The success allowed Bermudians to treat transportation in an individual fashion -- seen in the widespread ownership of private cars -- but they now had to look at it as a community issue.

Sen. Scott said this was the message in the Transport 2000 Plan.

Suggestions included ideas on how to attract the public to choose alternative forms of transport and leave their cars at home to ease congestion on the roads.

For example, the report suggested more ferry stops.

But it also noted that ferries from Somerset to Hamilton would be more likely to be used if there was parking available for commuters and the ferries themselves ran faster. Sen. Scott pointed out that a more convenient transportation system would contribute to road safety also.

By providing commuters with more comfort, their stress would be reduced and this would eliminate factors that cause accidents -- like road rage.

Continued tomorrow