St. David's commuters need answers about their transportation as the minibuses unveiled days before the election are not running, according to a UBP MP.

In a statement to this paper Donte Hunt, the St. George's South MP, said he wanted questions about the East End service, which was supposed to get smaller buses, answered.

The Premier and Minister of Transportation, Ewart Brown held a news conference in December to launch the buses and then a second in March for the maiden voyage of what was termed "midi" buses — a compromise between a regular bus and a van.

The midi-bus route was to start in St. George's and do a circular route of St. David's, and head back to St. George's, giving access to areas that may have struggled before.

But Mr. Hunt yesterday said commuters in this area were still waiting for these buses and a transportation schedule that seemed to be sporadic.

"The service may have been started, but it is our understanding that the new buses have not held to their daytime, hour-on-the-hour schedule," said Mr. Hunt,

"Residents have reported that the buses, when they are seen, are few and far between. Reports indicate that there may be a driver issue with the steering of the vehicles.

"We (the UBP) believe it is important that the Premier, as Transportation Minister, provide the East End public with an explanation of just what is going on with the new bus service."

In response, the Premier and Minister of Transportation, Ewart Brown said a full-size bus was operating for the St. David's area and they were working on bringing in more "midi"-buses.

He said: "There is a regular schedule that is being maintained in St. David's with a full size vehicle. We currently have two Euro 3 Midi-buses. We were able to obtain the last two from that model's production line.

"We are currently trying to obtain the Euro 4, a later model, however it is not currently available with an automatic transmission.

"So we've elected to wait until it is available in automatic transmission.

"However, if that time frame is not feasible we will scout for another vehicle manufacturer that can produce a model conducive to Bermuda's needs."

A report in the Bermuda Sun paper last month indicated that the "midi"-bus drivers were upset about the lack of power steering and accessibility of the handicapped ramp so had taken the keys.

Dan Simmons, the Public Transportation Director, admitted yesterday missing keys were hindering the midi-bus service.

He said: "They were serving St. David's, but a second set and third set of keys have gone missing. The regular bus is travelling along an existing route."

Mr. Simmons added that they were hoping the engines could be especially fitted so they could start without keys, so they wouldn't have to be out of service.

Mr. Hunt, however, added there might be a reason the service is not working, but the residents and public should be kept up-to-speed about it.

He added: "All of us want to make sure residents have ready access to public transport. The mini bus service is a good plan for St. David's, but it must be made to work.

"Until it does, the Premier should keep St. David's advised on what is going on.

"There may be perfectly acceptable reasons for the intermittent service, but it is incumbent on the Government to let residents know what it is happening."