Minibus operators are planning to start picking up residents from their homes and other locations next year, according to Airport general manager James Howes.

The two companies which run limousine services are already authorised to pick up or drop off anywhere on the Island as long as the journey begins or ends at the Airport, but so far they have concentrated on runs to and from hotels.

Mr. Howes said the companies, Bee Line Transportation and Bermuda Host, are planning to expand their operations by picking and dropping off at other locations, which he said would provide a welcome expansion of choice for passengers.

The operators are also bringing in more minibuses, officially classed as limousines, which Mr. Howes said would cut back on some of the unacceptable waiting times passengers have had to endure when there are no taxis.

And passengers will be able to buy tickets for the minibuses at the baggage counter.

But taxi drivers denounced the new plans, which they said would eat further into their profits.

Mr. Howes told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "We've encouraged them to start providing that (pick-ups from homes or other locations) service and they have agreed to do so.

"And beginning next summer they will be bringing in additional buses and there will be sales reps at the baggage area to sell bus transportation to anyone wishing to use it.

"They are bringing in additional motor-coaches from the US. We are very pleased because it will offer the passengers, who are our consumers, more range of options for ground transportation since we don't offer rental cars.

"We are very mindful that we have got to offer the traveller very convenient ground transportation services and this is what today's traveller demands.

"They don't expect to wait 45 minutes to an hour for a taxi, and they won't accept that. We are pleased to have additional transportation options that will help alleviate the shortage of taxis because last summer we had many people repeatedly waiting around for extended periods of time for taxis.

"We are looking for excellence in all areas of our operations and having people standing around for extended periods of time waiting for transportation to meet them is not the way we want to operate the airport."

Bermuda Taxi Owners Association President Gordon Flood said yesterday: "We are not happy with it.

"Every time they do something, it is eating into the possibility of our work. And again it is another thing where they (limo operators) are not paying for the privilege.

"If I put another taxi on the road it costs me $150,000, but these guys are just given out permits and it doesn't cost a thing."