IT is 60 years ago this month that the Public Transportation Board (PTB) launched its first bus service on the island.

Back in 1946, the first six buses were 21-seater Model 773s from the Yellow Bus Company. The original buses were left-hand drive, which meant passengers had to alight into traffic.

It is all a far cry from the comprehensive bus service that the island boasts nowadays. The modern, mainly air-conditioned, pink-and-blue vehicles stop by at intervals of no more than 30 minutes on most days on the busiest routes.

The first bus on the island was actually a 12-seater that operated in 1908. It frightened a horse, causing a doctor to be tossed to the ground.

That incident is believed to have been one of the catalysts that led to the passing of a law in May 1908 that would ban all motor vehicles from Bermuda's roads for nearly 30 years.

PTB director Dan Simmons said his staff would not miss the opportunity to mark the occasion of the PTB's 60th anniversary.

"We will be having a breakfast for the employees to mark the occasion and we will be re-enacting the first bus journey on April 24," Mr. Simmons said.