Dozens of motorists were turned away from the entrance of City Hall as of 6 a.m. yesterday after Government took over Dismont Drive as its temporary bus shelter.

The site of the new terminal caused some confusion over the weekend with locals and visitors unaware that the Washington Street terminal had moved down a block.

Traffic supervisor Kenneth Brangman said countless motorists who had not been listening to the news had been turned away from their usual parking spots outside City Hall although a sign informed them of the new shelter.

"They still want to enter City Hall for the parking," said Mr. Brangman.

More than 100 cycle spots have been reduced in the area, and although Government had moved parking to the back lot of City Hall, bike riders were also unaware of the change and many were seen driving around and around the block searching for a place to park. Parking appears to be an issue in Hamilton as The Royal Gazette searched for a parking spot in the Church Street/Queen St area and in all available bays leading to Par-la-Ville Road, but could not locate one available spot before 10 a.m.

Marcia Jackson, a visitor from Buckinghamshire in England, said public transport was excellent in Bermuda, but she had some confusion when trying to find the ticket office. She suggested an officer be on hand to give directions to commuters and to people who may not be informed about the change over. Another female commuter said she had to wait for the bus on the side of the kerb as there were no seats at the shelter.

"There's no pay phones, no clock, and no benches," she said. The Corporation of Hamilton was due to put benches at the shelter for commuters yesterday.

Late yesterday afternoon commuters were still waiting for the benches to arrive.

"What were they thinking?" one lady said when asked about the temporary terminal change. One lady who said she was aware of the switch but forgot about it in the afternoon said: "I was wondering why there was nobody there."

"It's hot and there are no chairs here," another disgruntled lady said. "They need to at least make it comfortable."

Most of the people, though dissatisfied with the "uncomfortable, hot conditions" of the new terminal, said that it was a change that they would have to adjust to. The new terminal is a joint partnership with the Corporation of Hamilton and Government and will cost $2.9 million. Government is planning to build a new terminal that will meet the needs of modern commuters and is safer and user friendly. It is expected to be completed in 2005.