Government is likely to canvass public opinion on the prospect of free bus and ferry travel for all — with a PLP meeting hearing this week that not everyone is in favour.

Premier Ewart Brown, who is also Tourism and Transport Minister, was asked by a woman at a meeting in Southampton on Wednesday why Government was planning to extend free travel on public transport to all.

"That means the taxpayers are going to have to pay and the foreigners are getting off scot free," she said, to murmurs of approval from those gathered.

Her comments, which came shortly after Dr. Brown told the meeting how he wanted to increase the number of hotel beds to attract more tourists to the Island, prompted him to ask for a show of hands on whether free public transport should remain solely for students and seniors.

Almost the entire audience of about 40 people raised their hands — to Dr. Brown's apparent surprise. He said: "I'm glad to be able to get the feedback from you because that means that before we make a decision in December we will probably survey the public."

He said he was reluctant to increase taxes to pay for the scheme. "We have taxed Bermudians to a great extent," he said, adding that Government was looking at other sources of revenue, hence the recently launched gaming feasibility study.

Dr. Brown told the meeting that the key aim of free public transport for all was an environmental one. "The first reason was to try to push people onto public transportation," he said.

"We are trying to offer options to people."

He told the meeting at Dalton E. Tucker Primary School that the ferries continued to be popular and that another stop nearby was being considered.

Free public transport for all was one of the PLP's election manifesto promises last year, but so far only students have been given passes.

At a UK college tour meeting with Bermudian students last month, Dr. Brown said Government was "hoping" to launch the scheme for everyone in January.