by Transport Minister Wayne Furbert are a small step in the right direction but do not seem to go far enough. The roads of Bermuda are a major problem which is getting worse and we would have preferred a tougher and more comprehensive scheme.

It is important to get people from place to place efficiently so that they can go about their business whatever that is. But it is also very important to provide visitors with convenient and efficient transportation at a price which is attractive so they can enjoy Bermuda. If we do not do that, the Country as a whole will suffer because more and more the hotels will become the destination and not Bermuda.

One very important step has been taken. It is now recognised that transportation decisions were being taken in isolation from the transport problem as a whole. It is now proposed that we should have central transportation planning to oversee an integrated transportation plan. That alone should lead to improvements.

Another constructive step is a proposed restructuring of the ferry system designed to encourage more people to travel by boat. New ferries would be faster and a park and ride terminal near Jews Bay is proposed. Some expanded ferry service to St. George's is also suggested.

Improved West End ferry service is vital because road traffic between the West End and Hamilton is a major problem. But unless we provide much more comprehensive service than we do now, all the fast ferries in the world will not make much difference.

A separate school bus system seems eminently sensible, especially now that we have fewer schools. And while the taxi service came in for some considerable praise in the report we have no doubt that radios in every taxi and an improved taxi dispatching service will make a difference.

These are refinements and improvements on the present system but we see nothing that is proposed as a major change.

The suggestion that repeat traffic offenders would accumulate points toward a disqualification is a sensible one but it has no teeth in a Country where many disqualified drivers simply go on driving. It simply punishes those who decide to obey the law. It never will be effective until we talk about taking away the vehicle.

Bermuda has not faced the problems visitors have with expensive taxi transportation, nor is there any indication of thought going into the inevitable need for an alternative to mopeds which are now uncomfortable and dangerous for visitors. There is no suggestion of allowing hotels to move guests around by using courtesy buses to and from the Airport, the beaches, or Hamilton and St. George's. There is no suggestion of a limousine service which might be an asset to the up-market visitors we say we want.

We can introduce all the measures we like to "calm traffic'' but we should start by enforcing the laws we have now, especially the laws against reckless driving and vehicle noise.