Transport workers have agreed to begin shifts 15 minutes earlier than the present start to suit a new bus schedule.

The deal was hammered out between the Department of Public Transportation and the Bermuda Industrial Union at a meeting this week.

Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Tourism and Transport, is expected to provide an update on the bus timetable today.

He said yesterday: “Monday’s meeting was called for the purpose of reaching a point where DPT and the BIU could mutually agree to change the starting time of DPT from 6am to 5.45am in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

“This would facilitate the implementation of a new bus schedule. At that meeting, the employees agreed to change the starting time.”

Full details will be revealed today. A work-to-rule in June disrupted provision of public transport for more than a week after BIU members voted in favour of industrial action.

Chris Furbert, the union’s president, said at the time that some of the complaints — including the poor condition of the bus fleet — dated back “three to five years”.

The action resulted in hundreds of cancellations, and services came to a complete halt as the island celebrated National Heroes Day.