Public transportation for the physically handicapped is on its way, according to Government.

The news comes as the Bermuda Handicapped Association (BHA) prepares a public protest at the opening of Parliament next month to bring attention to the cause.

"The physically disabled are on the low end of their list of priorities," BHA member Willard Fox told The Royal Gazette this week. "It's high time that something gets put in place."

Government acknowledged the lack of handicapped-accessible public transportation in the 2008 Throne Speech, and empowered a task force to come up with a solution.

Mr. Fox, a member of the task force, was concerned that the plan might never be put into action.

He called the most recent meetings productive, but expressed concerns that the current state of the economy would mean little money was available to fund the project.

However, Premier and Transport Minister Ewart Brown said that a strategic plan on Bermuda's paratransit system had been completed, and a draft plan to implement it would be ready at the end of the month.

He added that the plan is the result of a three-month look at how transportation in Bermuda could be improved for the physically challenged.

"A few weeks ago the Ministry of Transport received the recently completed strategic plan, and I have urged the team to move swiftly towards its implementation," he said.

"For anyone to imply that we have not heard the call for improved service for the physically challenged is most inaccurate and unkind."

Earlier this year 15 buses capable of transporting wheelchair-bound individuals were brought to the Island.

But while the buses were capable of servicing handicapped passengers, the bus stops were not.

"Though the feature exists, many bus stops do not provide for its use, particularly those on the roadside where there is no curb and those where there is a curb but no wheelchair access," explained a Ministry spokesperson.

According to the spokesperson, a study is now in place to determine which of the existing stops are suitable for handicapped passengers.