Government is gearing up to break expected strike action today by cabbies rebelling against plans to introduce a mandatory cab tracking system.

However last night Bermuda Taxi Operators Association (BTOA) spokesperson Lee Tucker said there would be no protest today over the Global Positioning System (GPS) although he said action was likely later this week.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said: “The Government has received information that there may be planned disruptions of taxi service.

“I wish to assure Bermudians and visitors that their transportation needs will be met despite the actions of those taxi operators who choose not to work when the Bermudian public requests their services.

“Transportation's contingency plan in the event of service disruption will remain in effect. The Bermudian public's transportation needs will be met. The government's contingency plan, in the event of a service interruption, will be implemented at the first sign of such an interruption and will be continued as long as it necessary.”

Earlier this month up to 500 of the island's cabs protested by staying at home or taking part in go-slows around Parliament and the airport but Government and hotels laid on buses to minimise bottlenecks at the airport while some private citizens did free shuttle runs.

Pro-GPS taxi driver Junior Fostine-Desilva said he had been told by a rebel driver that action was planned for today but drivers were keeping it secret to maximise the impact of the strike. He said: “I don't know why they are doing this. All it does is alienate customers.”

Mr. Tucker said: “There is the possibility of something taking place between now and Friday but it won't be Monday.”

Asked what form the action would take he said: “I won't say what, or when or how. We have to call a meeting.” He said it was likely the executive would meet early in the week and then strike proposals be put to the membership later, adding: “This situation affects all of us.”

He said there had been talk of industrial action at the weekend but drivers had decided against it.

Last week drivers rejected Governments offer to help pay for the devices, which cost around $1,500 per cab and allocate drivers to the nearest job.

Mr. Tucker said it had been an exploratory offer, urged by Government backbenchers which lacked detail.

Legislation bringing in GPS could be debated by MPs on Friday. Mr. Tucker said Dr. Brown had yet to explain why Government was planning to make GPS mandatory.

Drivers say the system is expensive and unnecessary but Government believes it will improve efficiency by slashing waiting times by allocating jobs to the nearest cab.

Dr. Brown said in a written statement: “The essence of the Government's position has been and is that the Bermudian public and its visitors deserve an efficient, responsive taxi service.

“The Government, as the responsible issuer of public service taxi vehicle permits, has a duty to ensure that public service vehicles who are the recipients and beneficiaries of these permits, provide the necessary service to the public.”

He said the public were in favour of GPS.

He said: “This Government attempted to take steps to respond to the taxi industry when they declared that the computerised global positioning system is too costly.

“As the public now knows, the protesting sector of the taxi industry rejected the Government's offer to subsidise the cost of the global positioning system. So, in spite of the actions of those who would attempt to deter the Government in its actions to provide for the public, the Government will hold fast in ensuring that the public is served.”