together to decide how to go forward with plans for a new dispatch system.

Bermuda Taxi Federation (BTI) has issued the invite to the meeting in the first week of March after four separate factions emerged during the controversy over Government's recent push for a centralised dispatch system.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown revealed one group has hired a lawyer and is moving ahead with plans to form a company and implement a central dispatch system.

Dr. Brown told the House of Assembly on Friday: "Today a group of taxi owners who had been meeting the director of the Transport Control Department have come together because the right mix of people is now in the room, and so progressive thinking people want to move this thing forward.'' He added that they had employed a lawyer and were moving ahead with plans to set up a company to implement the system.

It is understood this group includes the Island's four dispatch operators.

Government originally wanted the Bermuda Industrial Union to purchase a central dispatch system and to operate it on behalf of taxi drivers.

But the idea was dropped following protests from owners and drivers who objected to the idea of being forced into the scheme.

Dr. Brown is inviting the industry to come forward with ideas about establishing a dispatch system.

The BTI is urging the more than 500 taxi owners on the Island to form a company and hire a management firm to run the scheme.

BTI President Joe Brown said owners accepted that a system had to be implemented, but they all wanted a say on which model. And establishing a management company would overcome the suspicion taxi drivers have of each other, he said.

He said as well as the BTF, there is the Bermuda Taxi Owners Association, a group calling itself the Independent Taxi Operators, and finally the `Group of Specially Invited Owners' which met the TCD director.

Mr. Brown said: "We wish to say strongly that our only interest is to bring the industry together.

"We strongly feel that as owners, we must take the lead and determine our destiny... with no outside influence either from Government, the union, dispatchers, investors or drivers.'' Issuing an invite to the other groupings, Mr. Brown said: "Hopefully from that gathering, we, all of the above groups, will determine which avenue we will take in the best interests of our industry.

"The BTF wishes to make it clear we have no interests in running the new business. We intend to recommend the taxi owners hire a management company to handle our affairs.''