fare increases should cause us all to rethink the way Bermuda organises its transportation. The truth is that there has been no major change since the general use of motor cars and the demise of the railway. There has been a good deal of expansion but very little change in the basic structure.

It is time now to totally rethink the way Bermuda moves people, both locals and visitiors, about. Where visitors are concerned, it is imperative that we provide them with convenient and relatively inexpensive transportation both to enhance their visit to Bermuda and to maximise their spending as they move about the Island.

The old ways of moving people are breaking down in part because of crowding on the roads and in part because of the expense. Taxis are too expensive for general use and now only of interest for special outings. Taxi drivers used to be considered ambassadors for Bermuda but these days far too many bad mouth Bermuda to their passengers who are a captive audience.

Mopeds as an easy and inexpensive means of getting visitors about Bermuda are fast becoming a thing of the past. They are no longer a pleasure to ride and they present dangers to visitors which are not really acceptable. We should not be inviting people here and then placing them in danger.

Ultimately the main alternative may be usage of the Railway Right-of-Way but for now we need easier solutions.

The first solution is hotel courtesy buses from the Airport and to the beaches and to Hamilton. Another is direct buses from a central point to take visitors to St. George's for the day and return them in the late afternoon. A third is jitney train service along the South Shore Road to allow easy on and off for hotels, beaches and restaurants. Such a service might also make sense along Front Street and Pitt's Bay Road. Another is limousine service for those who want to spend their money.

Then too Bermuda has to get down to serious consideration of water transportation. We reognise that such transportation can be hampered by weather but it will work most of the time. Make the boats fun. Use the water area from Dockyard to Hamilton. Provide alternatives to road transportation to St. George's. Bermuda is at its most beautiful from the water.

We must accept that if we do not move people about they will not enjoy Bermuda. Increasingly the large hotels and not all of Bermuda are becoming the holiday or convention destination. That does not encourage people to return to Bermuda nor does it encourage them to spend their money. It would be interesting to know just how many people come here and seldom leave the confines of their hotel.

We know that the Minister of Tourism, David Dodwell, supports changes but they will take some real will on the part of Government. What has to be understood is that a lack of affordable and convenient transportation is a big part of the problem Bermuda is having with tourism.