A survey of ferry passengers is to take place to determine whether or not a schedule change should take place.

If enough people want it, it could lead to the last ferry to the West End leaving Hamilton later to take into account the curtailment of the 6 p.m.

summer service.

The move comes after passengers raised fears over the end of the service next Friday.

Some female travellers pleaded with Marine and Ports officials to change their mind and contacted The Royal Gazette to make their plight public.

For some, it is the only means of transport home to the West End other than the bus service, which many say is plagued by drunks and unsavoury characters at night.

On hearing the pleas, Marine and Ports director Ron Ross immediately offered the possibility of putting back the 5.20 p.m. ferry by 15 or 20 minutes to allow those commuters to reach the terminal.

But he said the later service would have to halt unless they were ordered to carry on by Transport Minister Erwin Adderley.

Diane Whittaker, who travels from Watford Bridge each day, said: "If there is no ferry we have got to go to the bus station -- and that can be dangerous.

"Hanging around the bus station in the dark is a frightening alternative, especially for women. But we do feel safe on the ferry.

"We need that 6 p.m. ferry. It means safety, it means knowing that you don't have to dash out of work at 5 p.m. and can carry on doing important things for your employer.'' Ron Ross said: "We will try to do a survey this week to get some feedback. If there is enough interest to get the ferry to leave later then we could do that.

"We will try to do the best we can in the interests of the majority.'' Assistant Director of Marine and Ports Mike Dolding said the 6 p.m. ferry was only taking up to 20 people each night, and was bringing a return of $30 for a cost of $300 per trip.

He said they had tried putting the 5.20 p.m. ferry back before and would only do it again if there was a consensus for it, adding that some people have already been waiting for 30 minutes for the service to leave and may not be happy for another time extension.

TRANSPORTATION TRA