A company has started what could be the beginning of the end of the island's drink-driving problem.

Island Express Minibus Services is offering tours of bars across the island ¿ the service allows patrons to be collected from offices or homes, and ensures a safe return to their residences at the end of the night.

The idea came to company owner Brigton Swan while travelling through Europe.

"It's one of the many things people do there," he explained. "People are able to go from bar to bar and don't have to worry about drinking and driving."

He admitted that the service is similar to the bus rental option already offered by the Public Transportation Board (PTB) but pointed out that his is cheaper, his van is available on-call, and will literally drop clients at their doorstep at the end of the night.

The service runs seven days a week. Its real advantage, according to Mr. Swan, is that it takes away all driving responsibility from drinkers and removes the possibility of waiting for a taxi.

"On our Monday to Friday night tours, pre-register your (Hamilton-based) workplace and we'll pick you up. On Saturday and Sunday nights we have a City Hall pick-up and a home pick-up. Pre-register a home address and we'll drop you off at the end of the night."

Pickups are between 5.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Drop-offs start at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tours of four "popular" bars are offered with the riders deciding the locations among them.

Two drink vouchers ¿ entitling holders to a beer, wine or shot ¿ are given to clients, with prizes up for grabs throughout the night. Hors d'oeuvres and bottled water are provided on the bus.

"It's a 28-seater van. Once there they can go straight through once they arrive as we arrange everything in advance with management ahead of time ¿ if there's a long line waiting, you walk straight through and we have a VIP express drink service at venues to avoid queues.

"The Bermuda Government, through PTB bus rentals, are the only ones that really do something similar, but it's expensive," the entrepreneur added. "We're offering something else ¿ we can pick them up from their doorstep and drop them off. They can even decorate the bus if they wish. We've had six tours already. Everybody's been pleased and we can do it even on short notice."

Mr. Swan said he started the bus service two years ago following what he recognised as a "problem with sufficient taxis at the airport".

"I bought two buses and used them to pick up tourists," he said. "In the day I took them on tours by Horseshoe Bay, to their cruise ships, but I noticed a lot of people would come to the airport and there wouldn't be enough taxis and they would have to wait an hour or more for them to come."

From that observation, his idea was born.

"I always wait for taxis to get the jobs first," he stressed. "I never try to cut into their livelihood. It's only if there are any stragglers that I take over. (And I've left my details so people) can call me at all hours in the morning if their plane is delayed (coming in or leaving)."

His hope is to extend that service to students in the coming months, offering pick-up and collection between homes across the island and the various schools. However he feels the greatest impression is likely to be made through the bar tours.

"With all the drinking and driving that's going on, people need to be concerned (even if only because) police are enforcing (laws)," Mr. Swan stated. "And when Christmas comes it's only going to increase."

Admission on the Island Express bar tour is $50 per person. For further information telephone 777-6464 or send an e-mail, islandexpressminihotmail.com.