Bridges and tunnels could be built as part of a new drive to steer Bermudians away from their cars and onto public transport.

New Transport Minister Erwin Adderley last night revealed a transportation planning team would map out Bermuda's traffic strategy for the 21st Century.

And team leader Larry Jacobs told The Royal Gazette that Bermudians could look forward to a long stretch of road improvements -- and possible plans for bridges and tunnels to improve traffic flow.

More offices will also be encouraged to start flexi-time for workers, to ease the morning and evening rush hours.

But there are no immediate plans to increase taxes for motorists, even though there are now 22,000 cars on the Island's roads.

Mr. Jacobs said the three-man team, including a secretary and an analyst, would work on the introduction of a high-speed 15-minute ferry service between Southampton and Hamilton.

And he said bus services would be improved as part of a new "integrated transport policy'', aiming to boost cooperation between taxi drivers, bus drivers and ferry pilots.

Mr. Jacobs, who is quitting his post as Secretary of the Corporation of St.

George's, will begin work with the top transport team on October 1.

He told a press conference yesterday that Bermuda had no room for new road building.

But he said afterwards: "There is potential for improving the traffic flow.

That will certainly include roadway improvements.

"It could also include bridges and tunnels. We need to create a high capacity alternative to the private vehicle. We live in a dense little country of just 21 square miles.'' Mr. Adderley said he would call on his experience from 22 years as the Island's Director of Planning to push for greater cooperation between transport providers.

And he said the general public would be asked to give their own input into how to improve traffic and transport.

"We hope to break down historical barriers,'' he said. "We need to create an environment which is more co-operative and integrated.'' The Minister said the new team had been given three primary tasks: to create a national transport plan, to implement recommendations from the Transportation 2000 Report and to draw up guidelines for the new transportation authority.

Transport committee He added: "The public are concerned about traffic congestion and pollution, about road safety and accidents, about the driving habits displayed by fellow road users and a general consensus becomes clear -- that `something needs to be done'.

"Traffic affects our quality of life and intensifies our stress levels. We have a limited number of road miles and an increasing number of vehicles vying for that road space.'' Mr. Jacobs, a former Public Transportation Board official, added: "People will convert away from their cars if there's a cost advantage and a convenience advantage.

"There is potential for a high speed ferry from Southampton to Hamilton which would take just 15 minutes. A car would take up to 30 or 35.''