on emissions.

But in the meantime the Public Transport Board is to get five new buses next year to replace older model.

New more efficient bus timetables are also planned said Transport Minister Ewart Brown but he said the service has already won plaudits from overseas experts.

Mr. Brown stressed that the five new buses would be capable of passing even the strictest emissions standards in the US but that Bermuda had yet to get its own laws on the matter.

He said: "The Ministry is still grappling with emissions legislation -- we have completed most of it but not all of it but we will do so in the future.'' He stressed that the five new buses did not represent an expansion of the service but just a replacement of older stock.

The ambassador programme, which taught drivers about the importance of being pleasant to customers, will be extended to other areas of the ministry. Bus passengers will be hit by a 10 percent increase which Dr. Brown said was to cope with the five percent budget cut demanded by the Finance Ministry.

Dr. Brown also issued a plea to the nation's parents and children to stop juvenile vandalism of buses which was costing the ministry dear.