Bermuda?s largest cab firm is to install a computerised dispatching system to improve efficiency.

Radio Cabs owner Edward Darrell said he was investing around $35,000 on the system which will keep callers? details on file.

He said Bermuda Telephone Company engineers had been on site yesterday making sure the new system would be compatible with their lines.

The system is set to be ready by September 1. Radio Cabs, which has 480 cabs under its banner, is also moving its offices back to the City of Hamilton this autumn.

This too will improve efficiency said Mr. Darrell because he said flooding around the current Cobb?s Hill base often caused phone lines to malfunction.

Currently the firm has a city number but is based in Warwick, meaning call forwarding is needed. Moving back to Hamilton will end the need for this and also cut down on lost calls hopes Mr. Darrell.

He said the computerised dispatch could be linked with global positioning systems if Government decided to revive its bid to make it mandatory in cabs.

The bid was blocked by Senators on Wednesday.

But he said GPS was more useful for cab fleets in large areas where there were a number of possible routes to get about. This didn?t apply in Bermuda said Mr. Darrell.

The move to computerisation has the backing of the Bermuda Taxi Owners Association which has around 150 paid up members.

Spokesman Lee Tucker said repeat callers will not have to explain their locations every time they call as the computer will store that information.

Computerisation will also help log the order of calls, help follow ups and reduce the risk of lost calls said Mr. Tucker who said cabbies were often blamed for faults in the dispatching system.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown could not be reached for comment.

His Permanent Secretary Marc Telemaque said he was unaware of the details of what Radio Cabs were getting.

He added: ?Anything which improves service to the public would be welcomed.?