Age Concern pleaded with taxi drivers yesterday to continue doing humanitarian work for seniors, despite their continued protest against digital dispatch.

But taxi drivers said that if they withdraw their services once more, they will announce an “emergency number” for people such as the aged and the handicapped to call when they need help.

In an article in The Royal Gazette on Monday, Bermuda Taxi Owners' Association (BTOA) spokesperson Lee Tucker said drivers were exploring their work-to-rule options as the controversial GPS bill, which passed in the House of Assembly last Friday, approaches the Senate. Taxi drivers have stood firm against the bill, which would require all taxis to install a digital dispatch system, including GPS technology, within six months.

BTOA president Gordon Flood said work-to-rule could include halting services such as dropping off medicine for housebound people and other humanitarian acts - a statement which led Age Concern executive director Claudette Fleming to speak out in concern.

“We sympathise with the drivers' plight,” she said on Tuesday, adding that many taxi operators were seniors themselves. “But we are hoping they find another way ... It was a most unfortunate thing to say because it is really punishing a group that is uninvolved.”

Any seniors who do find themselves impeded by the GPS stand-off with Government should call Age Concern, which will do its best to accommodate them, she said. “We've already had one person call to volunteer their (driving) services.”

And Mr. Tucker along with Radio Cabs owner Eddy Darrell promised yesterday that any further action the taxi operators take will impact seniors as little as possible.

“That was just a thought,” Mr. Tucker said. “We are not going to expand on it at this time.

“But we would be very put out to hurt the handicapped or the aged ... It is not our intention to withdraw our service. However if we do, we would give them some consideration. This is not about trying to hurt them.”

Should taxi drivers withdraw their services, Mr. Tucker and Mr. Darrell said an announcement would be made indicating the dates of that service withdrawal and an emergency number which dependents such as seniors or the handicapped can call.