and fight for greater recognition of the importance of their business to the Island.

The Bermuda Taxi Federation is replacing the Bermuda Taxi Owners Union and will seek to unite all facets of the industry, including owners, operators and taxi dispatch companies.

Its aim is to fight for the rights of the business, which they say is suffering under competition from the Government and boat tours, press for increases in fares, which have remained static since 1987, and seek for a greater say in the way the taxi service is run.

There are 600 taxi permits in Bermuda, more than 500 taxi owners and more than 3,000 people with taxi operators licenses.

In addition, there are five official dispatch companies, two airport transportation companies and several other smaller groups.

Yesterday, in launching the BTF, its president, Mr. Wendell Tucker, said the taxi industry has been "looked upon as a second class citizen by certain factions of the transport and tourism industries''.

"We are stating an all inclusive position that eventually will command respect for one of the major contributors to the success of the tourism industry as well as the international business community,'' he added.

The BTF has set out a five main areas of concern or proposed action: Grafting of visitors for tours by the shipping companies, allegedly advising passengers not to use taxis, and the use of Government buses in direct competition with the taxi owners and operators; Airport bus tokens which the BTF wants removed; An annual post-tourist season meeting to review the past and prepare for the future; A fair and equitable fare structure "commensurate with our value to the country, industry and economy'' after talks with the Federation. It will also press for Government concessions on items such as fuel; and The setting up of a Central Council of Tourism, overseeing all aspects of transportation within the industry. The BTF hopes in the long-term a Tourism Council could be established, involving representatives of everyone in the tourist industry.

Talks are also taking place between the Federation and the Police to solve the problem of attacks on drivers which, according to Mr. Tucker, have "reached alarming proportions''.