As the taxi dispute escalated yesterday, complaints surfaced that private car drivers are gouging visitors with exorbitant fees.

Officials from the Transport Control Department have been dispatched to the Airport to prevent visitors from being charged high fees for rides to their accommodation.

More than 60 taxis ran a steady business at the Airport yesterday afternoon, with drivers claiming to be in increased competition with private car drivers.

Passengers arriving on the US Airways flight were herded onto hotel shuttles, buses or waiting cabs under the sharp eye of several TCD officials on the lookout for gypsy cabs.

Although it is an offence under the law for any private car owner to transport passengers for a fee, residents who volunteer their services can legally accept what passengers offer. One resident, who had been making Airport runs and accepting donations, told that he has made $1,200 since last Tuesday?s protest action. Others claimed to be making hundreds of dollars a day since the strike began.

Government warned last night that anyone charging high fees could be subject to penalties of up to $2,100.

Cabbies are protesting GPS legislation which is set to make the system mandatory on Thursday.

Government said GPS will make service faster and more efficient as well as improve driver safety and security.

Several drivers who arrived at the Airport yesterday said they are competing with the private car drivers as well as dealing with taunts from anti-GPS protestors. One driver said he has been verbally threatened but he is working because ?the money is good?.

Other cab drivers have been accused of not turning on the meter and charging sky-high rates.

According to one report yesterday, visitors were charged more than $50 for a ride from the Airport to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

Government is advising visitors to the Island to make sure cabbies are turning on the meter to the rates set in the cab unless they have a pre-arranged ride with the driver.

A Government spokeswoman said reports of illegal cabs have not be received but advised visitors to take the cab number and report anything suspicious to the TCD hotline.

More than eight taxi drivers told yesterday that business was good and they were making hotel and Airport runs steadily throughout the day. While many do not support GPS legislation they can?t afford to stay out of business in the tourism season.

One cab driver picking up arriving passengers said: ?I wish the other taxis would stay on strike. The business is so good.?