New minibuses intended to provide transportation where regular buses don't travel were officially presented at a press conference at Southside yesterday.

Premier Ewart Brown, Lovitta Foggo (PLP candidate for constituency three, St. David's), Philip Perinchief (PLP candidate for constituency four, St. George's South) and Director of the Department of Public Transportation Dan Simmons unveiled the new buses called "connector buses".

Dr. Brown said the 12-seater buses will serve multiple purposes such as: freeing up big buses on routes not highly used; serving places like Ferry Reach and part of St. David's where buses don't run; accommodating disabled passengers; and, running north and south instead of east and west.

The Premier said this will allow people in places like Khyber Pass or Chaingate Hill in Devonshire to ride the buses when they usually wouldn't take public transportation.

The minibuses are cost effective and don't require the same amount of fuel consumption, Dr. Brown said, adding, Government can buy two and a half connector buses for the price of one regular bus and the Government plans on bringing in eight.

Ms Foggo said the service answered a real community need.

"This is certainly an answer to prayer," she said. "Many constituents have complained about the bus service.

"This will allow them to have access into the deeper neighbourhoods of St. David's. The purpose is to try to meet the demand locally."

Mr. Perinchief also said the people in his constituency would benefit greatly from the new buses.

"It has been a long standing concern in St. David's that we have a bus service past 6 p.m. This is the most convenient thing to happen. Using them is a total plus."

He also said some of his constituents in the Tucker's Town, Harrington Sound have said they would like a service to take them from Flatts, into Harrington Sound Road, to Swizzle Inn in order to connect to the larger buses.

The connector buses will be a part of the regular bus system and schedules will be available in the new year.