Bus operators have agreed in principle to a new work schedule during a three-hour meeting at the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) headquarters.A spokesman for the Ministry of Transport said yesterday afternoon that they are still waiting for formal notification of the outcome of the meeting, but Public Transportation Director Dan Simmons had been informed by the BIU Division organiser that the membership had agreed in principle.“A subsequent internal meeting will be held with the Department of Public Transportation management to discuss specific details,” the spokesman said.BIU President Chris Furbert declined to comment following the meeting.The new bus schedule will be the first introduced since 1999. In 2005 efforts to adopt a new schedule resulted in threats of a bus strike. A new schedule was again expected to be rolled out in 2007, but that schedule was pulled back because bus drivers had not been consulted.During the Budget debate, it was said that the new schedule now being discussed would improve efficiency and reduce overtime. It was said that buses that currently stop at Grotto Bay or Barnes’ Corner would continue to St George’s and Dockyard respectively.The new schedule is also said to include increased service on weekday evenings and Sunday mornings.While the meeting was scheduled to be held between 10.30am and 12.30pm, the meeting ran longer than expected, with bus operators leaving the union headquarters shortly after 1.30pm.Bus service was halted throughout the Island so that bus operators could attend the meeting.The Ministry apologised for any inconvenience caused by the interruption of service.