A deep split in the Progressive Labour Party over taxis was revealed last night after legislation forcing drivers to install global positioning satellite (GPS) technology was passed in the House of Assembly, despite several Government MPs speaking out against it.

Government Whip Ottiwell Simmons abstained from last night's vote because he opposes compelling drivers to accept the system, and backbencher Reginald Burrows told MPs he would abstain - although he was not in the chamber for the vote.

A compromise from Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown to delay the grace period for installing the system - from one year to 18 months - failed to stop the rebellion, but the Motor Car Amendment Act was eventually passed by a vote of 16-10, with Mr. Simmons abstaining. Although fervently opposed by many taxi operators, Government said the move was necessary to improve service.

Angry taxi drivers who oppose being forced to accept GPS stormed out of the House after the debate.

Kimmie Mello, of Bermuda Taxi Owners Association, told The Royal Gazette: "Politicians are like diapers - they need to be changed all the time because they are both full of s***. Democracy has been put aside when it comes to the taxi industry."

Earlier, Dr. Brown told MPs: "The purpose of the Bill is not to impose my personal will or impose financial burden on the industry but to modernise it by improving communications."

Mr. Simmons said he would always support the PLP, but he could not vote to force the drivers to accept the new system.

"Tonight, it is most regrettable that I have to say that my convictions are with the taxi drivers and I will abstain from voting one way or the other," he told MPs.

"It is no indication that I am in any way against the principles of the Progressive Labour Party, but we have democratic rights. I apologise to all my colleagues in the PLP that I have come to this position.

"If I was in authority, I would not make this (GPS) compulsory. I would have gone to the taxi drivers and the people selling the goods (GPS) and talked to them to get an agreement with them and me.

"I hope, notwithstanding how it goes, this Government and its relationship with the taxi industry will not be destroyed, as the Opposition is trying to do. It is my hope that if this legislation goes through, it is not going through because of my wholehearted support."

Shadow Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt said if the system was so good, the drivers themselves would flock to install it, so there was no need for Government to force it upon them.

He said Rev Wilbur Lowe had referred to the GPS system as Good Progressive Service, but he said he preferred to look at it as the GBS, and he said that did not stand for Government's Beautiful Stories.

And he said he believed some Government members had been talking about the taxi drivers who were opposed to the GPS as though they were stupid.

He said: "They (Government) have talked about how the public is going to benefit, but underpinning all of this is 'Government knows best and will do what is best'.

"What are taxi drivers in business for? To make money. And what do they want to do? Make more money. Now if the GPS and the mobile data terminal is going to increase their business, this is what we have heard today ....if this concept is so unassailable and if this technology is so great, why in heaven's name do we need to make it mandatory?

"A good idea sells itself."

Dr. Brown highlighted a "panic button" for drivers which if they are able to reach it, will alert a dispatcher and all other taxi drivers to their exact location.

In addition to greatly increased response times, Dr. Brown said the new system also guards against preferential treatment by dispatchers for a particular driver and will allow the Ministry to collect hard data.

"We will be able to make informed decisions and monitor that standard of performance," he said.

Opposition MP Jamahl Simmons said the new system posed a serious cancer risks.

He said that static electricity and electromagnetic radiation emitted by the "motor data terminals" have led to the US Environmental Protection Agency to label them a "probable human carcinogen".

He further warned that placement of the monitor inside the cab was hazardous as it caused drivers to split their attention between the road and the screen. He said that this could also cause ocular problems which cannot be fixed by the use of glasses or contact lens.

But Government MP Delaey Robinson called Mr. Simmons' comments "extraordinary" and said the real issue was "service".

He suggested that many taxi drivers may be opposed to the computerised system out of fear that it is too technical for them, and that they will not understand it.

He encouraged them that it would be easy to learn. "This is not rocket science," he said and urged them not to be embarrassed to ask questions.

Dr. Brown sought to allay fears that the system will be used as a 'big brother is watching you' arm of Government.

"The purpose of GPS is not to watch individual people. It will be used only when a taxi is dispatched and when a taxi is in distress, so that others can come to his aid," he said.

Government MP and member of the taxi advisory committee, Elvin James said: "This marks a new era for the taxi industry.

"This Government does not have all the solutions or know all the problems but the dialogue underway will see the industry go from strength to strength."