A revised ferry schedule unveiled on Monday offers additional trips to the West End but commuters say only tourists will gain as the evening Somerset Bridge stop is axed.

There will be four additional daytime trips between Hamilton and Dockyard between 9.15 a.m. and 2.45 p.m. over the summer.

And two additional ferries will operate between 7.15 p.m. and 9.45 p.m. Marine and Ports Director Ron Ross said the boost would stop the bus service getting swamped with the arrival of the new Dockyard cruise ship.

However the changes announced at the meeting at Warwick Workman's Club by Transport Minister Ewart Brown were attacked by some commuters.

Karen Skiffington said: "Over half the people get off at Somerset Bridge -- many of them live in Southampton.'' And another West End ferry passenger said: "Last summer we got the ferry to go to Somerset Bridge for commuters. But now this schedule shows it not going to Somerset Bridge in the evenings which is where half of the commuters get off.

"It makes a huge difference to the people who travel. There's been no increase in the ferry service whatsoever for the West End.

"Dr. Brown will tell you there is a 55 percent increase in travel to the West End but it's for the tourists and the cruise ship passengers -- it's not for the locals.'' He also appealed for the Minister to push back the 6 p.m. evening service to Dockyard by 15 minutes to allow people finishing work on the hour to get the boat -- something Dr. Brown said he would take on board.

Mr. Brown made it clear that the changes were based on input from the public at a December meeting and that further suggestions were welcomed.

Transport consultant Larry Jacobs said the ferry service was vital as car usage had leapt by 71 percent since 1981 but there was no more capacity for new roads.

But he said there had been a significant drop in demand and revenue for the Paget/Warwick route following the closure of the Belmont, Glencoe and Palm Reefs hotels. However demand for the West End route had leapt.

The Paget/Warwick route now demanded a subsidy of more than $1 million a year while the Somerset /Dockyard route needed just $181,000.

However there are more commuter trips from Paget and Warwick. Eight trips will operate between 7.15 a.m. and 9.15 p.m. After that there will be a ferry every 45 minutes up until 3.45 p.m.

Former UBP Senator Yvette Swan said she feared the new schedule was too tight to allow ferry workers to have proper breaks. However Dr. Brown said the BIU were on board with the proposal.

And she pleaded for the service to the Belmont Hotel in Warwick to be kept on as a request stop -- again something Dr. Brown said he would look into.

The team from the transport department won praise from many members of the audience for listening and reacting to their concerns.

However many attacked the confusion created by only printing the changes and not printing the whole of the revised schedule in timetable form.

One audience member wanted more minibus services. Mr. Brown replied: "The taxi industry was always very sensitive about changes so we have to tip-toe through the tulips.

But he hinted change was on the cards. He said: "With the expansion of the minibus service we can have a door-to-door ferry service.'' Somerset/Dockyard Revised Schedule (April 17-Nov. 5) Weekdays and Saturdays; Four additional Hamilton-Dockyard day trips between 9.15 a.m. and 2.45 p.m. on the Paget/Warwick Ferry route.

The 6 p.m. Somerset ferry will be formally included in the Monday-Saturday schedule.

Two additional evening ferries will operate Hamilton-Somerset-Cavello Bay-Dockyard at 7.15 p.m. and 9.45. p.m.

Sunday (April 17-Nov. 5); An additional five trips between Hamilton and Dockyard will operate between 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. with the Somerset-Dockyard ferry.

Sunday (From Nov. 5); No changes. The last ferry will be at 5.30 p.m.

Paget/Warwick Revised Schedule (April 17-Nov. 5) More weekday commuter service -- 7.15-9.15. a.m. (8 trips to Town) Post commuter service: 9.15 p.m. to 3.45 -- a ferry every 45 minutes serving all Paget/Warwick stops Afternoon service: 4.15 to 6.15 -- nine trips to Paget/Warwick Evening: Two evening trips -- 9 p.m. and 9.45 p.m. Request stops.

Hinson's Island: served in the evening at 9 pm. & 9.45 p.m. from Hamilton or 9.10 pm. & 9.55 p.m. from Darrell's Wharf.

Weekends; A better service is promised in Warwick with a 8.15 a.m. service to all Paget/Warwick stops arriving at 8.51 a.m. in Hamilton Winter Schedule; Same as summer until 6.15 p.m. -- after which there will be five trips up to 9.30 a.m.