Paget/Warwick ferry service to continue.

And she offered various ideas on how it could be improved.

Warwick resident Yvette Swan was speaking after Transport Minister Ewart Brown held a public meeting last week in order to hear what residents thought about the route, which has been suffering low passenger figures with the recent closure of two major hotels in the area.

Dr. Swan, who voiced her opinion at the meeting, said, at the time, she was concerned that the atmosphere of the meeting boded that Government had an attitude of "fait accompli'' or having already made up its mind.

"I have recently found out that it wasn't a fait accompli and that they will be coming back to us in January,'' she said. "I'm hoping that they really will listen to what we have to say.'' Dr. Swan said she felt dwindling numbers of tourists on the routes due to the closure of the Belmont and Palm Reef Hotels could be made up for if Government would encourage commuters to use the ferries regularly instead of traveling to work in their cars.

One of the ways she thought this could be done was by providing areas for commuters to park in the vicinity of the ferry stops.

"If there was good parking space for people to leave their vehicles in, then I'm sure they would be much more encouraged to use the ferry instead bringing their cars into town,'' she said.

"We have to decide what we want. Do we want an influx of more and more cars travelling into Hamilton every day or do we want people to consider using public transport more?'' A regular ferry user, Dr. Swan listed possible car parks as "space around the Palm Reef Hotel, which is currently being developed'' and "around the Belmont Hotel, which recently closed''.

Dr. Swan said she also felt the service should be updated along with the Somerset service, which is due to operate brand new high speed hydrofoil craft.

And she said another area in need of improvement was the service's timetable, which she said she felt should be revamped.

"Right now, it's completely impossible to follow them,'' she said. "They don't allow for the disembarking or embarking of passengers or for crew members to stop and go to the bathroom.'' Another avenue offered by her was the possible introduction of more ferry stops.

"There could definitely be a service provided for the areas of Spithead and Burnt House Hill,'' Dr. Swan said. "These would serve more people and encourage people from further afield to use the ferry.

"And, of course, we mustn't forget that a good many students use the ferries to get to school every day.'' Provide parking Yvette Swan