the success of the free West End trial.

Transport Minister Erwin Adderley said feedback from the initiative, which enables West End residents to travel free on early morning and evening trips, had shown a strong interest in changing times.

He said many commuters felt the ferry didn't arrive in Hamilton early enough, especially for workers who started at 8 a.m.

There is also a possibility that the last departure from the city could be put back to 6.30 p.m. from 6 p.m., to accomodate people who worked longer hours.

"We are going to try to make them more convenient, where possible,'' he said.

He added one of the reasons the free trial -- for routes arriving in Hamilton at 8.10 a.m. and 8.50 a.m. and leaving at 5.20 p.m. and 6 p.m. -- had not been successful was the timing.

And he did not rule out changing bus times and adding extra ferry stops to make the service more accessible to residents.

The free ferry trial had mixed fortunes. The scheme was dropped after a few weeks of the intended three months. Then the trial was reinstated, but without buses which connected to West End ferry stops.