The new fast ferries have taken 44,000 people so far and the success has “exceeded expectations,” Transport Minister Dr Ewart Brown said yesterday.

“We are extremely proud of the early successes achieved in the first six months of the service,” Dr. Brown told the House of Assembly.

When the first fast ferry began service between Rockaway, Southampton, in April, it carried 175 passengers, but this rose to 250 a day by June when the second catamaran was introduced.

By the end of September, the ferries were carrying almost 500 people per day.

Dr. Brown said he was was also pleased that a quarter of those using the ferry, 11,000, were also using the free minibuses provided.

And so successful was the park and ride scheme at Rockaway, that 20 more parking spaces are to be added, said Dr. Brown.