Passengers on public transport should expect a disrupted service this morning as the Bermuda Industrial Union holds a general meeting.

The BIU is to hold the meeting for its members between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

A Government spokeswoman said: "There will be an interruption in bus and ferry schedules during this time. The Government apologises in advance for any inconvenience this may cause residents and visitors, and will advise when regular services have resumed."

Yesterday Director of Public Transport Dan Simmons said he was confident the public bus operators' work-to-rule industrial action would end shortly.

Mr. Simmons said: "It is still in effect but the union is holding a meeting tomorrow to discuss it. Eventually everything will get sorted out. We have done the best we can so far."

Government expressed concern on Sunday that the drivers' work-to-rule could hamper services for tourists at the start of the summer season.

The industrial action began in February over safety concerns that motorists were using Washington Street for through traffic, resulting in accidents.

The action means drivers cannot be found to work overtime or fill in for absent colleagues. It has also affected bus maintenance.

In response, Government has implemented a number of measures to try to rectify the situation. These include Police ticketing and TCD traffic officer patrols; improved traffic signage; and safety announcements on the terminal public address system.

However, at the weekend Larry Jacobs, Transportation Coordinator for the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, said the work-to-rule was affecting sightseeing, charters and non-rostered premium services.

"The cruise ship season starts April 10, and the Department of Public Transportation usually provides up to twelve buses for sightseeing service. This service will not operate if the work-to-rule remains in effect," he said.

"Not having a sightseeing bus service will impact the number of cruise visitors wishing to go on sightseeing tours and also hotel visitors and residents wishing to charter buses."

Yesterday the drivers' action did not seem to have affected tourists adversely so far.

A spokeswoman for the Fairmont Group reported no complaints from guests.

"The Fairmont Hamilton Princess isn't experiencing any problems on their end," she said.

"The Fairmont Southampton hasn't seen any effect of the bus drivers' work-to-rule nor have there been guest complaints to date."

But a spokeswoman for Grotto Bay Beach Resort told The Royal Gazette: "One or two guests have complained about the buses, in that they've had to wait and the buses weren't always on time."