The Ministry of Transport got a hefty nine percent increase of $4,260,000 in the Budget to deal with a number of major projects, including the new fast ferries and security upgrades at Bermuda International Airport.

Finance Minister Eugene Cox said $3.8 million of the increase was new money, of which 60 percent will go on the new ferries.

Mr. Cox has earmarked $7,360,000 for the Department of Airport Operations for improvements. These include $1.3 million to upgrade the runway, $1.9 million for x-ray equipment to scan all checked luggage, and $1.2 million for safety upgrades and air conditioning improvements in the terminal.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown has diverted $1.5 million of his $51,039,000 budget which was earmarked to buy new buses, to upgrading the bus terminal in Hamilton.

The transport system will also benefit from a series of heavy capital projects financed by Works and Engineering in the coming year. These include $5.9 million for the new ferry docks and public landings, $250,000 for Flatts Bridge, a $4.4 million refurbishment of the Swing Bridge, and a $1.4 million upgrade of the Causeway.