and Ports chiefs announced yesterday.

The drop has been attributed to the effects of industrial action that took place at the beginning of the month and mechanical breakdowns of ferries.

During June, a total of 52,039 trips were taken compared to 64,935 trips during June 1997, a drop of 19.8 percent.

On the Paget/Warwick run, there was a reduction of 16.2 percent or 22,687 trips, down from 27,076 trips last year.

There was a 22.4 percent drop on the Somerset route, with 29,352 trips compared to 37,859 in last year.

Numbers on the seasonal East/West ferry had 2,894 trips in June.

Overall, 44 percent or 23,162 rides were taken with monthly passes, with 52 percent or 15,351 trips on the Somerset route.

On the Paget/Warwick run, 34 percent of the total or 7,811 trips were used with monthly passes.

For the year-to-date there has been a drop in total ferry trips with 264,200 in 1997 compared to 247,262 in 1998.

GOVERNMENT GVT