A controversial bill which will see a private car service implemented on the Island was passed yesterday at the House of Assembly.

Both taxi drivers and Opposition members questioned the need for such a service on the Island with many saying it will take money from an already struggling taxi service. Taxi drivers even threatened to rally at the House of Assembly to show their displeasure with the Motor Car Amendment (No. 2) Act. However, Transport and Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said the high end service was exactly what the Island needed to deliver the luxury travel experience it offers in advertisements.

Dr. Brown explained that the limousines will be the same size as taxis but that they will be a luxury vehicle. He added that the Ministry has not yet decided on details such as what colour the vehicles will be or the dress code that drivers will be required to meet, but said it would all be in keeping with the discerning traveller that Bermuda is courting.

The private car service, also known as limousines, will be allowed to set its own fares and will also be required to have a GPS system and radio contact with dispatchers. The aim is to allow high end, private travel for those that are willing to pay the extra money to ensure the car is at their disposal when they need it.

He added, and stressed, that the legislation would not add more cars to the Island.

The bill allows 100 limousine permits to be granted, 50 of which will be offered to current taxi drivers. The taxi drivers will be allowed swap their current licences for limousine permits, at the discretion of the board.

Dr. Brown was also quick to point out that many taxi drivers were already turning off their meter in order to fulfil the demand for a private car service. He said this bill would merely legitimise their current operations.

?I think the level of interest has been underrated,? he said. ?The Opposition has assumed that this bill is targeted at serving international businesses but there are many Bermudians and tourists who would like to take a car service from the airport.?

But members of the Opposition did not see eye to eye with Dr. Brown and questioned the wisdom of the bill and whether Government had put enough thought into it.

Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert questioned the logic of bringing in new cars and asked if it was not simpler to allow current taxis to be limousines. He added that he feared the new classification would be devastating to the taxi service during the winter season: ?I don?t see how we can support this bill because in the slow period between November and March, it will cause greater hardships on more people.?

Opposition House Leader John Barritt said there was no incentive for taxi owners to swap $150,000 taxi permits for a limousine licence: ?A limousine costs around $94,000 for a high end model, You expect them to give up $150,000 to spend $94,000 and they still have not had a fare! How is that an incentive??

Mr. Barritt said if Government was genuinely interested in helping the taxi industry it would allow taxi drivers to ?grandfather? old taxis in for limousines.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell stated that hotels did not want personal limousines. He went on to say that taxi drivers feel the bill was just another way for Dr. Brown to ?get at them? after GPS and added that taxi drivers either did not turn GPS on or failed to utilise it.

?The Minister says the technology works, but you can have the greatest technology in the world, but if people are not using it, what?s the point??

The Minister took the criticism ? that the taxi industry was already burdened by the newly implemented Global Positioning System and that it was unfair to implement a service that would act in direct competition with them ? head-on.

?I would be the last one to assume the relationship between myself and the taxi industry is one of trust,? he said. ?There are many drivers that flat out don?t like me or any legislation I put forward. But there are some who see the need for an improved service, a limousine service.?

He added that it was unfair to start criticising the implementation of GPS because it had only been in Bermuda for four months. Furthermore, Dr. Brown argued that GPS was highly effective in that it enabled the Ministry to collect data about the taxi industry.

?Just because we don?t tell you it doesn?t mean its not happening,? he said. ?I think the Opposition is confusing not knowing with not doing.?

President for the Bermuda Taxi Association Michael Ray could not be contacted yesterday evening to comment on the bill. The BTA has expressed their concerns about the legislation in the past. The bill passed 17 to 12 with members of Parliament voting along party lines.