George's.

And Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess reassured taxi drivers it will not hit their business.

The ride, which took approximately an hour and fifteen minutes, made four journeys between the two stops, starting at 9 a.m.

Tickets are to be $10, but also give passengers open travel on all buses and ferries for the day.

Mr. Burgess pronounced the new ferry route a success as almost 200 passengers boarded the Bermudian , a passenger tender, at Dockyard.

In a new "twist'' to the situation, Mr. Burgess said the new ferry service could end up benefitting taxi owners.

Contrary to fears taxi drivers would lose business as a result of the new route, Mr. Burgess said it seemed many passengers who had opted to take the ferry to Dockyard got "the best of both worlds'' when they took taxis back to St. George's.

However, taxi operator Mr. Oliver Casey of Bermuda Taxi Services, said it was too early to assess any increase in business and that he favoured a "wait-and-see attitude.'' Mr. Burgess was on board the noon ferry as it left St. George's yesterday, together with Harbour Master Mr. Keith Battersbee and Mr. Ron Ross, Director of Marine & Ports Services.

"We are quite happy with it,'' said Mr. Ross of the new service, introduced as a response to a potential influx of visitors to St. George's this season from the new cruise ship.

"There were no problems ... the ferry left on time and the people on board seemed happy.'' He indicated the service would run on a trial basis as planned until the end of the season.

END-TO-END -- From left, Harbour Master Mr. Keith Battersbee; skipper of the Bermudian Mr. Joe Bailey; Assistant Director of Marine and Ports Services, Mr.

Russell Southern; Minister of Transport, the Hon. Maxwell Burgess and Director of Marine and Ports Mr. Ron Ross celebrate the trial run of the new Dockyard to St. George's ferry.