The Bermuda Industrial Union Taxi Co-op fleet is not opposing GPS it emerged yesterday as Radio Cab drivers launched a last-ditch fight to oppose the technology.

The Transport Control Department (TCD) is now failing cabs which don't have working GPS – something which could force Radio Cab's 200 vehicles off the road.

A law making GPS mandatory in cabs came into effect in February 2006, but it was then discovered many drivers were not using the system and relied on radios to get jobs.

So a bill to force cab drivers to have their systems switched on was passed last summer, while using other systems – such as radios – to pick up rides was banned.

Radio Cabs boss Eddie Darrell said lawyers were now exploring whether it was legal for TCD to fail cabs which didn't have GPS in December, after passing others in November.

All cabs must be licensed by the end of this month.

However Co-op taxis subscriber Wayne Mouchette said most of his 40 cabs were using GPS. He explained a software problem was behind the technology's non-use, but it should work again shortly.

He boasted that Co-op taxis had the best GPS system as it was digital and it took into account Bermuda's topography. Some other systems, Mr. Mouchette said, will choose cabs in Spanish Point for jobs in Dockyard because they are "nearest", even though getting there means a long, looping journey.

Mr. Mouchette said: "I know the stigma is the union is not too keen to come on board. But 98 percent of our drivers are happy with it and use it."

Raymond Robinson, boss of BTA Dispatching which uses GPS in its 380 cabs said his office was taking e-mails from drivers wanting to switch to his firm.

He said some had put in the BTA's GPS system then moved to another company because they didn't want to use it.

"But now they can't get their car passed, they call BTA – 'can you turn the system on?' All I know, it is a lot of drama."

Meanwhile, Mr. Darrell said his company was getting clarification from a lawyer about whether it was fair to pass vehicles one month and then fail them the next over the same issue.

Mr. Darrell has spent around $90,000 on installing GPS dispatching in the office, but the majority of his drivers are anti-GPS and he said efforts to get them to use it has led to drivers going missing when work had to be done.

One cab driver told The Royal Gazette last night that a meeting was being planned for next week with anti-GPS cab drivers and the public.

However Mr. Darrell said: "That won't stop anything. I don't think (Premier and Transport Minister) Ewart Brown will come."