Disabled passengers coming in and out of Bermuda International Airport will find their travelling experiences a whole lot more comfortable after a special transporter came on line yesterday.

The $92,000 truck has a raisable compartment that can take up to four wheelchairs to the entrance of an airplane. Before yesterday, physically challenged people had to either be carried up to their airplanes by staff or taken up in a cargo lift.

The transporter can reach heights of up to 20 feet with its hydraulic lifting mechanism, which resembles the criss-cross configuration of airplane food carriers. "This is fantastic," said Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association Vice President Keith Simmons after he had tried out the air-conditioned lift, with its own dedicated operator.

He said: "Before this, I had to be carried up the stairs to the airplane and it was a pretty scary experience, not only for me but for the person carrying me as well. Those stairs are pretty steep."

Mr. Simmons said he knew disabled people in Bermuda would welcome the addition. "When (Transport Minister) Dr. Ewart Brown says something, he delivers on it."

At the airport yesterday, Dr. Brown took a test ride on the machine. Afterwards, he said: "I'm pleased to announced that Bermuda International Airport is 100 percent disabled accessible."

He said it was "no secret" that there had been a lack of suitable boarding assistance for disabled people "for far too long now".

And he added that the new transporter was the result of "extensive research" into the problem. According to Director of Airport Operations James Howes, the money for the machine was raised from the new four dollar passenger services charge which all people leaving the Island on flights are required to pay at the check-ins desk.

He said the new addition was also the result of some complaints from arriving passengers, who "expect" such facilities because they are required by law in airports in the United States.