Ferry passengers are still in the dark over additional services to the West End as the repairs to Somerset Bridge begin.

Today Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge is due to officially open the temporary causeway with a blessing by Archdeacon Arnold Hollis.

Officials hope that the two-way crossing will ease any congestion at the spot, now that a free ferry service which was designed to take motorists off the road during the repair period looks doomed.

And commuters are still waiting to hear whether the 6 p.m. service from Hamilton to Watford Bridge and Dockyard, will be extended to cover stops at Cavello Bay and Somerset Bridge -- those that are currently served by the free bus which will finish on Friday.

Transport Minister Wayne Furbert announced on Tuesday that the free ferries to the West End will finish on May 1, unless there is a significant improvement in numbers using the routes.

Yesterday Mr. Furbert appeared to be in the dark about the 6 p.m. service and its route, and whether or not it would now alter its calls to take in those stops serviced by the free bus.

He said it was due to be investigated.

But Marine and Ports Service assistant director Mike Dolding said it could be that the route is run on a similar basis to last year, by calling direct to Dockyard and then proceeding to Boaz Island, Watford Bridge, Cavello Bay and Somerset Bridge, before heading back to Hamilton at 7.45 p.m.

Mr. Furbert said free ferries -- which affected services arriving at Hamilton at 8.10 a.m. and 8.50 a.m., and leaving at 5.20 p.m. and 6 p.m. -- would finish on May 1, unless there was an improvement in passenger numbers.

Up until now, the service has had only two extra passengers and has been costing the Government $1,500 a week, he said.

He said he didn't expect numbers to increase, if they followed the pattern of the previous week-and-a-half.

"It has been a disappointment to us, it shows that people are finding it convenient to still use their cars,'' he said.

The cost of the ferries was not the reason that people were not using the services, and so they would have to investigate further to find out what the reason was, he said.

Meanwhile, motorists using the causeway at Somerset Bridge are advised to take extreme caution when using the road.

A Police spokesman said there will be signs to advise drivers and officers will be monitoring the area at peak times.

Editorial -- Page 4