ministry in the sixth part of a series highlighting the eight separate areas of the document. Bermuda could be in line to get a new ferry fleet of high-speed catamarans within the next year. And the sleek twin-hulled vessels may be used to help power the Island's transport system into a new era involving total integration of Bermuda's public service vehicles and boats.

Transport Minister Erwin Adderley said: "We have a reasonably comprehensive bus and ferry system, although the ferry system may need to be upgraded so they can make more runs.'' He added: "Catamarans have advantages -- they have less weight, cause less damage to the foreshore and they are faster.'' But he said the Island would need a good mix of vessel types to ensure a reliable network: "On a run from Dockyard to Hamilton or from Dockyard to St.

George's, a catamaran would be practical because it would be running close to its optimum efficiency. But we also have to consider the services to the Belmont Hotel and into Cavello Bay, where a larger catamaran might not be able to get in,' he said. "Ideally, what we want are interchangeable boats so if one breaks down, another can take up the slack.'' Mr. Adderley was speaking as he reviewed the transport pledges made in the Government Blueprint issued at the 1993 General Election. Of seven targets listed, two are logged as implemented or recurring, three are completed and two are ongoing. Mr.

Adderley said a transport plan for the new century was ongoing while a new Transport Authority, which will be up and running within weeks, would help to bring together the Island's people-movers in a partnership where everyone is headed in the right direction. "We want to integrate all the transport, ferries, buses, taxis and limousines or mini-buses, into a system where everyone benefits -- the public is getting the service they want, but the people who are providing the services get their share of the pie.'' And Mr.

Adderley admitted congestion on the roads and the high rate of accidents and fatalities were major worries. But he said a drive was on to stagger working hours to cut rush hour traffic jams, plus a more attractive transport system to encourage people to consider alternatives to a private car. Also being considered are `park and ride' schemes, where car drivers could park out of town and take a shuttle service into the centre and a crackdown on speeders.

Among the pledges in the Blueprint was a new business plan for a self-governing authority to run the Airport -- which has now moved to the review stage. And a bid to capitalise on Bermuda as an aircraft registry has taken off, with new legislation being drafted to establish a registration for aircraft mortgages in Bermuda. Among the other initiatives in the drive for efficiency are ten-year licence issues for motorcycles, cars and light trucks, instead of five years, designed to speed up the applications process. Mr.

Adderley said a transport token system which has been used successfully elsewhere was also being considered. He explained visitors in many areas of Europe and North America get tokens as part of their room rate which can be spent on any form of transport. And he added preliminary talks with the taxi industry had shown some support for accepting tokens interchangeable with the buses as part or all of a fare. Mr. Adderley said: "I'm not saying we will adopt such a system here -- but if we get that level of cooperation, we're closer to getting a system which really works well.'' TRANSPORTATION TRA