Government has ordered Bermuda Radio Cabs to stop its taxi service.

The order went into effect on Monday.

The move comes after years of disputes between the cab company and Government over the use of GPS dispatching systems.

The Public Service Vehicle Licensing Board, the body responsible for regulating the taxi industry in Bermuda, issued a statement today explaining the reason for the move.

“As everyone will be aware, a few years ago Parliament made provision for the introduction of the GPS system for the purpose of dispatching taxi jobs from taxi dispatching companies to taxi drivers,” the statement reads.

“This allowed for the advanced use and deployment of taxis to service the public better. The requirement to make this happen for a taxi dispatching company involved purchasing the GPS equipment, having it in working order, keeping it turned on and using the system to send jobs to the taxi fleet.

“The Board has now made a decision to suspend the permit of the Bermuda Taxi Radio Cabs limited for their failure to adhere to the requirements of a taxi dispatch company as set out in the Motor Car Act 1951 and the associated regulations.”

For the full story see tomorrow's Royal Gazette.