The public yesterday praised Government's 'Burn Fat Not Fuel Day' - but it was unclear just how many people left their car or motorbike at home.

Bus staff and ferry pilots reported normal passenger loads, with the only marked increase on routes to St. George's.

Government launched the 'Burn Fat Not Fuel Day' initiative to encourage people to either catch the bus or ferry into work or walk, run or cycle.

The idea was to encourage healthier lifestyles while at the same time reducing pollution and global warming. As an incentive, all buses and ferries were free for the day.

However despite praise for the initiative, it appeared that not everyone got the message about opting for healthier and greener ways into work.

The residents of St. George's were the exception. While bus drivers and ferry pilots said that on most routes the passenger load was just like any other day, transportation to and from the East End was bursting to capacity.

At Hamilton's bus terminal Dispatcher Inspector, Colin Dunlop, said: "It's been no different from a regular day, it's been pretty normal. However, our St. George's buses have been running full all day."

A Public Transportation Department cashier added: "It's not been like we thought it was going to be - chaos. Everybody still drove their cars and bikes."

At the ferry terminal, Rockaway pilot Derick Wellmen said the passenger load on what was expected to be the busiest route was actually as normal.

"There were 150-160 passengers on the first two trips, at 7.25 a.m. and 8.25 a.m., and that's pretty normal," he said.

"During the middle part of the day it did get busier than normal on the ferry routes but the only significant change was from St. George's - that ferry was a lot busier.

"On the whole though it wasn't that much different from normal and the two ferries on standby weren't needed."

Mr. Wellman said he thought 'Burn Fat Not Fuel Day' was "a good idea", but he said that having it on a Friday was less likely to make a difference.

"I think if they'd had it on any other day they would have had a bigger response because on Fridays people tend to drive more because they go out to dinner or stay in town to have drinks."

One commuter, Fred Darrell, 50, of Warwick, said he had left his car at home to take the ferry instead.

"It's a good idea but it should be done more often," he said. "This one day is not enough."

Senior VP of Marketing at Capital G Bank, Michael DeCouto said a group of about 25 employees left their vehicles at home to walk or pedal into Hamilton - including Chairman James Gibbons. More than 50 caught the bus or ferry into Hamilton.

Mr. DeCouto said: "Certainly it was a good idea and we are always committed to supporting community-based events to demonstrate we are good corporate citizens.

"We do have to do our part in protecting the human resources we have available especially with the rising oil prices, the state of the economy and global warming. We just have to all, as individuals be aware and be conscious of the supplies that are available to us and do our part in conserving those supplies."

Angela Ferguson and Debra Wellman, employees at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute, left Southampton at 6.40 a.m. this morning and arrived at work at 8.45 a.m.

Ms Wellman said: "It was a great walk. I was ready to turn around and head back, that's how good I felt."

Annie Sousa, Vice President of Aon Bermuda Ltd, took the bus into work from Paget and planned to walk home. She said she was surprised her 8.45 a.m. bus wasn't crowded and that traffic on the roads appeared to be as normal.

"From my observation, this incentive did not seem to be very well supported. Shame, because it's a great idea," she said.

Chamber of Commerce boss Diane Gordon said although it appeared the public didn't take advantage of the free transport, a different day could have made a difference.

"If the message 'Burn Fat Not Fuel' is to encourage good health practices, we are in total support of improved health conditions for everyone.

"The day was not necessarily a good bench mark to gauge our reaction as many schools are still out on spring break and we are not in the height of our tourist season. Therefore, results from today are not giving us a true sense of how the system can handle the additional overloads if we consider this for the future.

"The Chamber has received feedback from members, in particular those who normally utilise bus and ferry services and comments ranged from 'no less or more busy than usual'; 'didn't notice any difference with the ferry despite being free'; 'road traffic appeared to be normal congestion'; 'more cyclists than normal'.

"As a concept it is a good one and to be encouraged. The Chamber looks forward to supporting initiatives which will improve on health and our environment as this has a direct impact on businesses and the community overall."

Environmentalist Stuart Hayward said he welcomed 'Burn Fat Not Fuel' but that Government should have consulted environmental groups for their ideas.

"It's easy to second-guess and you know I think they are doing the best they knew how. It is unfortunate that more of the grass roots and environmental organisations weren't consulted. Some of us have been in touch with groups around the world who have promoted car free days and car free cities. There may have been more than what it was to make it a more collaborative effort."

Press Secretary for the Department of Health, Warren Jones, said Mr. Bascome would comment after all the feedback is in from members of the public on Sunday.