The Bus Station and Ferry Terminal may end up at a joint location at the east end of Front Street if Hamilton's waterfront is developed, it has emerged.

A study of Hamilton -- prepared as part of the work for the new City of Hamilton Plan -- was released last week.

The report noted: "Hamilton is well served by public transport as the central bus station and the main ferry terminal are located in the city.

"In the longer term, if the waterfront is redeveloped, it may be possible to combine the bus station and ferry terminal at the eastern end of the present docks to provide an integrated facility with mini-bus service to other locations in Hamilton.'' The relocation of the bus terminal had been discussed, said the report, but there "was no obvious location'.

However the document, "a first step in the preparation of a new plan for the City of Hamilton to replace the current plan which was produced in 1984'', added that the "potential of the waterfront is not currently being realised''.

It is also "uninviting to the public'' and "it may be desirable to commission a feasibility study to explore the potential cost and benefits of a waterfront development'', said the study.

However the main issues facing public transport are the need to upgrade the bus station and provide space at the ferry terminal for larger ferry boats.

The bus station "is urgently in need of a major improvement/redevelopment'', said the report.

"This would provide the terminal with greater visibility, give it a more attractive appearance and improved amenities with more user-friendly time tabling.'' While the ferry terminal is functioning "adequately'' in its present location, it continued, improvements "may include larger ferry boats''.

"These will necessarily require more berthing space at the ferry dock.''