rush-hour wave of visitor traffic has left them high and dry with no place to sit.

Work-weary regulars -- who leave their jobs in Hamilton for what should be relaxing cruise to their west-end homes -- say since the return of the Meridian to Dockyard they've been locked in a first-come-first-seated battle with cruise passengers, also returning aboard the last ferry to leave Albouy's Point, at 5.20 p.m.

"Last week we had to sit at the back of the ferry amongst all the life jackets, bikes, and fumes,'' three unidentified working women grumbled to the The Royal Gazette .

"My problem is at 5.20 (p.m.) Bermuda time it's very difficult to get away from work, and you've got to get here early just to get a seat these days,'' re-insurance executive Mark Berry added. "The logical alternative is to add a later ferry.'' But that's not likely to happen the Director of Marine and Ports said: "It would cost about $105,000 to add a later ferry if you add up the costs of overtime, fuel, and things like that,'' Ron Ross said.

"Revenue, on the other hand, would be about $30,000 based on previous estimates.'' Each ferry has a capacity of 250 passengers said Mr. Ross, but so far the maximum load has been about 175, although one passenger two weeks ago said she counted 191 people.

Meanwhile Marine and Ports staff have investigated the complaints and have requested cruise ship staff to ask passengers to use either an earlier ferry or the tender Bermudian , which can carry 750 passengers and operates a summer schedule between Dockyard and Hamilton.

"Other than that how can you discriminate between a commuter and a tourist, who has also paid to use the ferry,'' said Mr. Ross.

HARBOUR ROAD CLOSED TFC Harbour Road closed The Ministry of Works and Engineering said that a portion of Harbour Road will be closed starting today.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area from the junction of Longford Road to the junction of Tamarind Vale in Warwick. That section will be closed between 9.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. from today until June 20.

A Works and Engineering spokesperson said the closure was due to the placement of all major utility services in that area.

"Once the section of road is closed,'' the spokesperson added, "traffic will be detoured away from the area although residents will be permitted to access the closed section of the roadway from the Tamarind Vale junction.''