There's been mixed reaction to Transport Minister Ewart Brown's scheme to give free public transportation passes to newly-arrived expatriates.

Government announced on Friday that newly-arrived guest workers will receive free bus and ferry passes for three months as part of its efforts to reduce traffic congestion.

"There's been all kinds of reactions - from 'great idea' to 'what are you going to do for Bermudians?'" said Dr. Brown.

"With almost everything we've done Bermudians have been the primary beneficiaries." He added that if the programme succeeds in helping to reduce traffic congestion Bermudians will benefit.

The Royal Gazette was not successful in finding any enthusiastic supporters of the plan.

"It seems like Dr. Brown is out to destroy the taxi industry," said taxi operator Quinton Binns. "Because you've got all these minibuses out there, all these hotels closed, less tourists coming to the Island and he's trying to impose this GPS system. It seems like he's hell bent on destroying the taxi industry."

Jacqueline Smith, a part time taxi driver told The Royal Gazette that she didn't think it would impact on the taxi industry.

But, she said, the policy is discriminatory. "If he's really trying to help traffic congestion on the roads, it should be available to everyone not just expatriates - and not just Bermudians."

She added that buses should run longer hours for it to make sense, anyway. Many locals were of the view that Dr. Brown was giving their money to expatriates, Ms Smith continued. "In order to keep the peace you have to offer it to everyone."

And asked whether the policy might not succeed in getting people into the habit of using public transportation, she had her doubts.

"If it were to help it would only help for three months. It won't help permanently because if they need a car they're going to buy a car. Where does that help ?"

Expatriates who knock off work at night aren't going to find any buses or ferries to take them home, she argued.

Shadow Transport Minister Gary Pitman said that the scheme makes little sense. "The individuals that are coming here to work are not going to wait around for a ferry or bus as they go around doing their chores to settle in. They're going to get a cab or rent a bike."

He said some might take advantage of it but it would do little to reduce traffic congestion because taxis will be on the roads anyway.

"Really Mr. and Mrs. Bermuda, the taxpayer will be paying for this free service," he continued. "And basically we're subsidising the bus service as it is so this would be a further subsidy - and it's not going to make a meaningful difference to the traffic problem."

He repeated earlier UBP calls for a national transportation plan.

Immigration issues about 180 work permits every month - not all of them new.

"If you assume they are all new and half of them accept it then we're in good shape," Dr. Brown said. And because public transportation is in common use in European and American cities, "we think they represent the right target population. And if it puts additional demands on our public transportation system then we'll have to respond."

The transport ministry is looking at the possibility of having the free passes mailed to new arrivals as part of their Immigration package.