The Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) will purchase the more than $1 million worth of equipment needed to make a central dispatch system for all of Bermuda's taxis a reality, Transport Minister Ewart Brown announced yesterday.

Dr. Brown was joined by BIU president Derrick Burgess and special advisor on the taxi industry El James MP at a press conference where he said: "I am very pleased to inform you that the Bermuda Industrial Union has decided to proceed with the purchase of equipment that will bring into effect a central dispatch system for taxis in Bermuda.'' The new system is scheduled to be operational by the middle of next year and Mr. Burgess estimated the cost of all the necessary equipment, including radios for each cab, would run "in excess of a million dollars''.

He said non-union drivers can join the central dispatch so all of the Island's 600-plus cabs would be linked through the programme.

Dr. Brown continued: "This initiative signals the beginning of a new era for the taxi industry and demonstrates Government's commitment to fostering partnerships with the Union and other areas of the private sector.

"I am confident that a central dispatch system for taxis will provide the local and visiting public with the taxi service they expect and deserve.'' Dispatch system Taxis have been a hot topic in Dr. Brown's Ministry and the central dispatch system has been talked about for several years.

He has complained about locals and visitors alike having to struggle to get one of the Island's 600 taxis to pick them up within an hour, or at all.

Each taxi will have a system installed which includes a Global Positioning System so the dispatch will know exactly where each vehicle is at any time, and when a request is made for a taxi, the dispatcher will send the closest taxi -- cutting waiting times drastically -- and improving access to taxis and providing an equal playing field for each operator.

Dr. Brown has said that if the system works as it is supposed to, no Bermudian or visitor should have to wait longer than ten or 15 minutes for a taxi.

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