Debate on the law which would require the taxi industry to adopt a computerised dispatching system has been postponed for one week.

The Motor Car Amendment Act which would have forced the GPS technology on the taxi industry would have otherwise been the only substantive piece of legislation debated in the House yesterday.

All other items on the order sheet were carried over, except for a non controversial bill asking for retroactive approval of monies spent last year that exceeded budget estimates.

A joint statement issued by the Bermuda Taxi Operators Association (BTOA), which opposes the proposal, and the Government said the postponement was to allow time to establish more "common ground" between the two parties.

"The BTOA has been adamant in its objection to the tabled legislation, and has put forth recommendations for an improved dispatching service that it believes, if implemented, would result in greater dispatching efficiency, better quality control and control of service to the public," the statement said.

"The Government appreciates the work of the BTOA... Hence, the Government will delay for one week the passage of the Bill to see if Government and the BTOA can find more common ground. If we are successful, we believe that the legislation will be more acceptable to the BTOA."

The Bill would amend the Motor Car Act to require taxi operators to equip their vehicles with a radio, a mobile data terminal, a global positioning satellite (GPS) device and an alarm device.

Dispatchers would have to have compatible equipment. Two weeks ago, when the Bill was tabled, the BTOA issued a strike call.

Earlier taxi drivers had engaged in a go slow to draw attention to their grievances. The complaint from the BTOA is that the system will add unnecessary costs to running a taxi at a time when profits are dwindling.

Government has made a number of compromises, including offering a form of subsidy and writing in a one year grace period into the new legislation.

The BTOA, for its part, wants GPS to be optional and has indicated it would accept some form of computerised system.