Under Bermuda's Constitution, the Senate acts as a final check before legislation is approved and becomes law.

As such, it can amend or reject legislation it feels needs a second look.

The Senate's ability to stop legislation is not absolute. If the elected House of Assembly feels that the legislation is correct and does not need to be amended, it can vote to overrule the Senate after a year.

The Senate is structured to enable this second look to occur, since the five Government Senators can be overruled if all three Independent Senators vote with the three Opposition Senators to form a six-five majority over the Government.

On Wednesday, the Senate fulfilled its Constitutional function when the three Independents agreed with, in this case two Opposition Senators to force a five-five tie in the Senate on the legislation enabling the GPS taxi dispatch system to come into force. As a result, the bill will go back to the House of Assembly where it must sit for a year before it can be voted on again. If it is approved again by the House, then it will become law.

That the Government was defeated on this legislation is not a complete surprise considering that some Government MPs themselves had reservations about the bill and Government Whip Ottiwell Simmons abstained.

In spite of several compromises offered by Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, a large number of taxi drivers remained unhappy with the measure and it is clear that their lobbying efforts towards the Independent Senators held water.

It is fair to say that no Independent Senator exercises a vote against the Government lightly. Given that, it is also clear that they had strong reservations about whether the GPS system was the sole solution to the taxi industry's problems and that other avenues should be explored first.

But the taxi industry must recognise that this decision is only a temporary reprieve and it is up to the opponents of the GPS system to get their house in order.

No one disputes that the taxi industry needs to improve its level of service to the public and the taxi drivers themselves admit that they have to do better.

Now they have a year to show what they can do themselves. Ensuring that calls for taxis are answered quickly and efficiently, that passengers get the level of friendly service that they deserve and that all areas of the Island receive adequate coverage when needed are part and parcel of improved service.

It may be that some drivers and owners did not recognise how unhappy their customers were with the quality of service before the GPS controversy erupted. It is to Dr. Brown's credit that the debate has now made them realise that they have work to do.

For that at least, the community should be grateful.