Calls for Government to give cabbies more time before they have to install a controversial new vehicle tracking system look set to fall on deaf ears.

An Opposition politician said the early February deadline for all cabs to have Global Positioning Systems (GPS) should be extended until the tourist season is in full swing ? and drivers have more cash to afford it.

One driver said the hi-tech system, which aims to improve waiting times by sending the nearest cab to a customer, costs between about $850 and $1,000 to install. Government want GPS in taxis to improve response times ? but drivers were angry about the intrusion and expense.

The dispute about the issue has rumbled on for years, however, the February 6 deadline for all Island taxis to have it is looming fast.

And United Bermuda Party transport spokesman Jamahl Simmons said drivers should be given some leeway.

He said the law should be implemented during the tourist season, as the off season was often a tough time financially for drivers with passenger numbers reduced.

Calling for a June deadline, he added: ?Government has used the stick on this issue, now it should use the carrot.

?This is an added expense and, like many people in the tourism industry, drivers have had a rough year.?

He raised fears that older drivers could be turned away from the profession, and young drivers of the future put off a taxi career for good by rising costs linked to the industry.

Mr. Simmons said the Island needed to protect a taxi industry with a ?Bermudian flavour?, which he said was not found in many other places around the world. And he said drivers should be rewarded for efforts they had made to improve the service in the last 12 months.

Edward Darrell, owner of Radio Cabs, backed the UBP call.

He said dispatch companies were ready to go with new computer equipment in place at bases. But he predicted that many drivers were unlikely to stump up the cash to install GPS in vehicles, and start paying monthly fees of around $30, before the season started in April.

?They will wait until the last minute,? he said. ?If they put it in and are not making any money, how are they going to pay for it??

But Permanent Secretary of Transport, Marc Telemaquesaid the official deadline for full coverage was unlikely to be shifted to later in the year.

He added: ?As far as we are aware the various organisations engaged in providing GPS services have been very busy. All the indications are that they will be ready.?

Taxi drivers won praise for their ?sterling efforts? behind the wheel over the hectic New Year period.

?So many of us are quick to criticise taxi drivers when things go wrong, but I am here to praise them for their sterling efforts this New Year?s Eve,? said Shadow Transport Minister Jamahl Simmons. ?I have been pleased by the numerous positive stories coming out of the community on how they were efficiently and politely serviced during what is traditionally a challenging time for moving around the island.

?What is remarkable is that all of these accomplishments occurred without the use of the GPS system.?

Mr. Simmons also praised public transport workers who ferried revellers to and from New Year?s Eve celebrations at St. George?s, where thousands saw in 2006.