High speed ferry service from the former Naval Annex to Albouy's Point should be up and running by mid January, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown announced yesterday.

And when that date arrives, ferry users in the West End will be treated to every convenience - with minibuses to the new stop, concession services on board, and most importantly, drastically reduced travel times to Hamilton.

Dr. Brown held a press conference at the construction site for the new Rockaway ferry stop in Southampton yesterday.

The ground on the former base is currently being cleared for the parking lots, shelters and mini-bus stops that will augment the ferry dock. The development is part of Government's $14 million commitment to building the new dock and improving existing ferry docks in preparation for the new ferries.

Upon completion Dr. Brown estimated the ferry from Rockaway will take roughly 23 to 24 minutes to reach Hamilton as compared to a drive from the same point of roughly one hour. "If it isn't raining," he added.

And as media and Government officials examined the future Rockaway stop yesterday, a temporary floating terminal was being installed at the other end of the line, Dr. Brown said.

That dock will be necessary to accommodate the front loading, catamaran ferries Government committed to roughly one year ago.

The ferries will seat 200 passengers and Government is hoping the bulk of those seats will be filled daily.

"The Department of Marine & Ports Services and the Ministry of Transport are creating a viable, comfortable, relaxing alternative to commuting by car," Dr. Brown said. "The new catamaran ferries are designed specifically for these waters, with a smooth ride in mind. Interior furnishings have been chosen with comfort at the top of the list. A new food concession on board will be run by a local operator. We have stipulated that the morning coffee be plentiful and good."

Comfort too has been the goal of the Rockaway ferry dock architect.

Stanley Brangman, of Brangman and Associates, said that the area will be a combination of public park and ferry stop upon completion.

The site will offer split level parking with bays at five, 10 and 14 metres above the high water mark.

There will be 88 automobile spaces and roughly 20 bike bays, Mr. Brangman said,

The upper level of the new parking lot had been intended for bike, he said, but members of the public had expressed concerns about leaving bikes at the rear of the facility.

"They were worried they would come back to find them stripped," said Mr. Brangman.

The bike parking will now be along the waterside of the ferry terminal. The area is also going to be extensively landscaped.

Mr. Brangman said workers have already started to relocate trees in hopes that by January, the ferry dock will be a lush, green oasis away from the long, line of traffic into Hamilton.

"The City of Hamilton has identified that congestion, accessibility and parking are among its most critical planning issues," said Dr. Brown. "Visitors to our shores are surprised by the number of vehicles on the road and for many it detracts from a relaxing vacation.

"Bermuda's growing volume of traffic is annoying - it's stressful, it's dangerous and we firmly believe it's unnecessary."

But Dr. Brown said the Government is aware that residents will not make the switch to public transport without incentives.

One of those incentives will be the minibus service to Rockaway from Granaway Heights and other neighbourhoods in the Somerset area.

"These minibuses will be scheduled to meet the ferry schedule so that transfers to and from the ferry and bus will be as quick and seamless as possible," said Dr. Brown.

The Ministry is also currently developing a fare structure which will combine the minibus and ferry charges to offer door-to-door service.

Dr. Brown said fares for the ferry should not rise from their current levels.