expanded by March, 2002, Transport Minister Ewart Brown promised last night.

But he would not commit to a commuter service from St. George's to Hamilton, although he promised to listen to the demands of the public.

Dr. Brown was speaking at a public meeting on the new ferry system and its impact on the East End and possible locations for a new ferry dock.

More than 75 people crowded into the Penno's Wharf Cruise Ship terminal as Dr.

Brown and Transport Ministry advisor Larry Jacobs detailed plans for improved water transport around the Island.

"I think that it's fair to say that when we came into the Ministry we found a culture that said `the ferry leaves at 7.23 and if you wish to catch it be there','' Dr. Brown told the audience, which included Parliamentarians.

"We are trying to change that,'' he added. "That is a big step for some people. We've started to change things at the West End. I don't want people to think the ferry schedule is locked in forever.'' In answer to a comment about the need for a commuter service to Hamilton, Dr.

Brown added: "We will take a hard look at it.

"If you look at their ridership, right now the focus is at the West End,'' he explained. "That is where the people and the congestion and traffic is. But we're here, now, listening.'' Mr. Jacobs said East End residents and visitors have called for better ferry service. Sixty-four percent of East Enders surveyed said they would consider using the ferry service if improvements were made.

Such improvements include better parking, faster times to destinations and better scheduling.

More than 30,000 people a year use the St. George's/Dockyard ferry, a figure that will increase if the schedule is increased to three or four trips a day and five or possibly six days a week service.

Brown: St. George's-Dockyard ferry service to be expanded Drawbacks to commuter service include lack of demand -- according to the surveys -- no great improvement in travel time, and the seasonality of travel along North Shore.

Currently four sites are being considered for the East End ferry service, he said.

These are the current congested site at Ordnance Island; Market Wharf; Penno's/Hunter's Wharf; and at Tiger Bay.

Ministry officials said "nothing is set in stone'' with these sites and each would have to be evaluated.

Mr. Jacobs spent a significant amount of time describing the new ferries, particularly showing the differences with controversial machines abandoned in Vancouver, Canada.

Showing a picture of the huge Canadian machines, which carry 1,000 people and 200 cars, Mr. Jacobs said: "This is not them!'' He said the low wake, 25-knot, front-loading boats currently being designed will carry 250 in "improved comfort''.

And he said the combination of improved parking and extensive use of door to dock minibuses would make the commute to Hamilton better for West Enders.

Ewart Brown