Pending a permanent sign and the approval of the Bermuda Industrial Union, the controversial month-long boycott of Front Street bus stop soon be over.

The alterations to the ferry terminal stop demanded by the BIU in April are all but complete, said Public Transport Board (PTB) representative Stephen Outerbridge after a meeting last week between the two groups.

This means that the drivers' union and transport management may finally have found a resolution to the issue.

By making the terminal parking lot one way only and enlarging the bus layby the Corporation of Hamilton has completed almost all the work the drivers had set out in their demands to make the stop safe.

The disputed bus stop, which is located next to the Hamilton Ferry Terminal at Albuoy's Point, was originally designed as part of the Ministry of Transport's effort to integrate the public transport system, merging ferry and bus traffic.

The drivers, however, have boycotted it for months, refusing to stop there in the interest of public safety.

The issue reached a climax in January when drivers cut bus service Island-wide for two hours. In April, BIU president Derrick Burgess said: "Some people think the bus drivers are being unfair but that is not the case. We are looking out for safety."

But coming out of last week's meeting, the BIU had only final request - that a temporary sign which alerts on-coming traffic of the bus stop be replaced with a permanent one.

After that one adjustment, Mr. Outerbridge said: "The matter is simply waiting to be put to the BIU's membership in a vote early this week."