The public have a mixed reaction to Wednesday?s Senate ruling to block the Global Positioning system from becoming mandatory in the Island?s taxi cabs. hit the streets of Hamilton yesterday gauge public reaction to the controversial bill, which was defeated in similar fashion by the Senate in 2002.

The public had a variety opinions, but although the majority felt it was unfair to make such a system mandatory, others said they hoped improvements could be made in the industry to allow for better speedier, service.

Several hoped GPS would remain on Government?s agenda. Velvet Smith, a homemaker, said she was disappointed the bill was not made mandatory.

?My sister was once left waiting for a taxi for three hours, but at the same time I think ?why should they be forced to get something they don?t want?,? she said.

?The system should have been made optional before being made mandatory, it costs taxi drivers a lot of money to operate a taxi.?

Ammuaakhu Sahnera, an assistant manager, said he didn?t feel fully informed about the pros and cons of GPS, but had trouble getting cabs at peak times of the day or during special events on the Island.

?I still want to learn more about the system so that I as the customer can fully understand how I will be affected,? he said.

Lee Mello said she did not think such technology should be compulsory, particularly since many of the Island?s cabbies are working the job to make a bit of extra cash during their retirement years.

?Older drivers have been servicing the public for a number of years ? why would they have to learn all of this new technology? In their time there was no such thing,? she said.

?I?ve never personally had any problems getting taxis because I?ve made sure to call in ample time.?

Administrator Stephanie Smith said she felt the GPS technology would eventually become part of the industry. ?I wouldn?t say I?m disappointed, but eventually I feel it will be implemented,? she said. If they accept it fine. Overall it seems like it will benefit all parties, locals and tourists.?

Mid-wife Jane Pettit said she felt there were more accidents on the road during the two week taxi strike.

?It encourages drink driving, especially on the weekends when people weren?t able to get a cab. I think it?s a shame that it didn?t go through.?

Amanda Baker, a writer, said she was disappointed that cabbies would not be required to install the technology and hoped the technology will go through.

?It would have been a good thing, it would have made us more efficient and it works in other countries,? Ms Baker said, adding she has had problems getting a taxi. ?If I?m out of town it can be very hit and miss.?

Student KeeVon Wade, who was sitting in a taxi when we caught up with him on Reid Street said he felt the system would put some equality back into the industry.

?It would be good in one way because there would be no more cut throat drivers stealing jobs from one another, and if a cabbie is off the road during the day at any point they?ll be able to monitor his business,? he said.

Photo lab assistant Ross Nearon said taxi owners should decide whether they want to invest in the technology.

?I don?t use cabs, but if I was an owner I wouldn?t feel right being forced into buying something that I didn?t want.?

Account Manager Bjorn Axelsson said he hoped something could be done to improve taxi efficiency. ?Although I haven?t had much of a problem getting a cab it should be made mandatory,? he said.

?It would be an improvement for the customer, to help know where the drivers are and to make sure customers are able to get a cab.?

Cameron Dreger, an engineer, said he thought it should be the choice of the driver. ?We need some kind of central dispatch system,? he said.

?I?ve had problems before getting a cab. I have eight cab numbers programmed into my cell phone and sometimes no one picks up.?