Drastic changes to the ferry service will be taking place this Monday, with the Boaz Island ferry service ceasing permanently and more direct routes to the Somerset area implemented.

Also starting will be year-round late evening ferry service on the Paget-Warwick ferry route, while the number of trips to from Dockyard to Hamilton and St. George?s will increase. The ferry service will be significantly restructured over the next few months as Government attempts to improve efficiency throughout the service.

Kicking off those efforts, will be the temporary closure for 12 weeks of Cavello Bay for upgrades. The Ministry outlined the changes, many starting on Monday:

The Boaz Island service will be cancelled on Monday due to low ridership, with the Ministry estimating that just three to five people use that stop per trip.

?The overall objective is to increase the number of direct ferry trips from the Somerset Village area to Hamilton,? a Government spokeswoman explained.

Instead, a free mini-bus service will take area residents to the nearest ferry stop at Watford Bridge. The mini-bus will start its route at Cochrane Road in the mornings, stop at Boaz Island Village and continue on to Watford Bridge, following a reverse route in the afternoons.

In addition, three morning and three evening express commuter ferry trips will operate directly between Watford Bridge and Hamilton. ?It is anticipated that this will open up new markets for the ferry services.?

Starting Monday, Somerset Bridge will no linger be linked with Dockyard, Boaz Island, Watford Bridge and Cavello Bay. Instead a direct ferry service from Somerset Bridge to Hamilton will be implemented using the mono-hull ferries.

This separate express service will operate directly from Somerset Bridge to Hamilton during commuter times, with two morning and two afternoon trips. Mid-day service using a smaller ferry will be linked with service to Rockaway.

?This is being done to improve ferry service for residents in the Somerset Bridge area as well as to provide relief for the Rockaway commuter ferry service, which is reaching capacity on some trips,? the Ministry spokeswoman explained.

Also starting Monday will be year-round late evening service on the Paget-Warwick ferry route.

On Monday the number of daily trips from Hamilton to Dockyard will increase from 19 to 26 (Monday to Friday), while the number of trips from Dockyard to St. George?s will increase from three to five.

Later evening service will also be provided on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between Hamilton and Dockyard, with the last trip leaving Dockyard at 11.30 p.m.

When the Cavello Bay stop is completed (hopefully in June), that stop will re-open and the Watford Bridge stop will close for upgrades.

The Watford Bridge stop is expected to be closed for 12 weeks starting in June, and the express ferry trips will then operate from Cavello Bay.

The free mini-bus service will therefore be extended to Cavello Bay to provide customers with an alternative ferry service while the Watford Bridge stop is closed.

?The restructuring of the ferry service is intended to upgrade the productive ferry stops and provide more direct ferry service,? the spokeswoman said.

?To the West End commuters, the Department of Marine and Ports appreciates your patronage and is thankful for your patience during this restructuring.?