West End bus schedules will be amended to try to cut the number of Bermudians left stranded at bus stops, Senator Michael Fahy has announced.

Mr Fahy, the transport minister, said Number 8 buses have been full of cruise ship passengers in the mornings, meaning there have been no seats left for commuters trying to get to work.

“Cruise ship passengers have filled the seats on some morning buses leaving residents standing at bus stops, watching crowded buses pass them by,” he said in a statement.

“We have considered a number of suggestions and have decided to make a change to resolve the issue in the short term, while we contemplate long-term solutions.

“The Ministry has taken advice from technical teams, which has included input from the West End Development Corporation, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Department of Marine and Ports Services and the Department of Public Transportation.”

Starting on Monday, a select number of buses on the Number 8 route that have previously departed from the Maritime Museum will now start their route at the Department of Public Transportation Depot in Dockyard and head to Hamilton. They will leave the depot from Monday to Friday at 9.35am, 10.35am, 11.35am, 12.35pm and 1.35pm.

Mr Fahy added: “Only these buses will bypass the Visitors Information Centre to ensure adequate seating capacity for Bermudians. I certainly hope this rectifies the immediate problem for Bermuda’s west end commuters.

“I am advised that this will not impact cruise ship visitors in any appreciable way.”