Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown predicts that two of the Island's major transportation systems would be up and running at the latest, by the beginning of next year.

And he said the long awaited transition of the Central Dispatch taxi system and the new fast ferry system are progressing ahead with full steam.

"Whether you live in Somerset or St. George's, the changes we're introducing in public transportation mean good news throughout the community, reducing traffic and congestion," he said.

The central dispatch unit was officially set into motion last year this time, when Government announced the purchase of the several million dollars worth of equipment to get the project started.

The project is predicted by the Minister to be completed by this year.

It was outlined by the Minister that the project would allow for each taxi to have installed a global positioning system (GPS) that allowed dispatch to know where a cab is at any given moment - and according to the Minister, it will ultimately result in less waiting time for customers.

It was estimated that taxi owners would have to pay an estimated $900 to $2,000 for the equipment to be installed and many taxi driver's had expressed their disappointment in the validity of the project.

However, Dr. Brown said of late he has been receiving positive feedback from all concerned, which resulted in the project progressing smoothly.

"Significant progress has been made with the dispatch system," he said. "We had an earlier delay that had a lot to do with the unsuccessful attempt to bring all the taxi dispatch companies under one umbrella, but I am happy to say that it is now happening."

Dr. Brown noted that the central dispatch system has been a personal crusade for him that he has lobbied hard during his ministerial tenure.

And he predicted that the new taxi system would be economically beneficial for Bermuda, because more efficient service resulted in more calls answered.

He added: "Central dispatch has been one of the highest priorities of this Government. A taxi permit is a public service vehicle. The public deserves the right to be served. And this system is becoming the norm around the world.

"New York has implemented 1,000 units and Toronto has added five or six to their metro areas. This will ultimately facilitate economic development."

In addition to his optimism about the central dispatch system, he said he is anticipating the completion of the new faster ferries by the January 2002.

"These new catamaran ferries will bring even better, faster service to the community. They have a unique exterior design and will be extremely comfortable. The new catamaran ferries will be the kind of public transportation that has never been used before."

He added that various Bermuda businesses had given a combined effort with the design of the ferries, in order to give it a unique design only to Bermuda and to meet the targeted completion date of early next year.

"Bermuda companies were involved in the exterior and interior design," he said. "The new ferries will be the best they can be - developed and maintained by Bermudians for use in Bermuda."