fast ferries but still cannot decide on which ship-building firm will be awarded the multi-million dollar contract.

And a new stop will be added along the Hamilton to Dockyard ferry route to encourage more commuters and visitors to take advantage of the service.

Transport Consultant Larry Jacobs said development of the $24 million modernised ferry system, expected to be finished by September next year, was well underway.

He said: "While the boats haven't actually been ordered yet, we have finalised the short list of building firms down to three.'' Mr. Jacobs added that "preliminary engineering'' of new docks and breakwaters, designed to accommodate bow-loading boats, had begun at points around the Island.

"Eventually these docks will have been built at all the ferry stops between Hamilton and Dockyard, including a new stop at the Tribe Road Five/Rockaway location and also in St. George's.'' Mr. Jacobs explained that another consideration in the project was the development of land around the stops to include parking bays, lay-bys, shelters and signage.

"It's really three projects in one with the overall objective of encouraging more people to travel by water and less by land.'' Mr. Jacobs said frequency of trips on the Hamilton to Dockyard route would increase to a round trip every hour. And he added that the trip between Dockyard and St. George's would be shortened to just under 40 minutes.