mobility'' of handicapped people on Friday by making the importation of specially equipped taxicabs duty-free.

Currently, there are only two taxis in the Island's 600-strong fleet of cabs that have been modified to accommodate the physically challenged, said Transport Minister Wayne Furbert, whose 1995 Motor Car Amendment (No. 4) Act was passed after a brief debate.

The amendment, which passed unanimously, will establish a pilot project in which at least 20 local cab owners, who already pay a lower duty than regular car owners, will be allowed to bring in a specially outfitted vehicle to Bermuda without paying any duty at all.

And "this will not,'' said Mr. Furbert of the amendment, "be the last step we take (to making the Island more handicapped-friendly). The Government is reviewing other options as we speak.'' One of those options, said Shadow Tourism Minister David Allen, might be the introduction of "jetways'' at Bermuda's Airport, which is the first local facility that physically challenged visitors experience.

"It's great,'' said Mr. Allen, "to have the wheelchairs and the vehicles waiting for them there, but it's pretty traumatic to have to be carried off the aircraft.

"Tourism,'' he continued, "is a niche industry these days, and the physically challenged, who keep apprised of the places that are friendly to their needs, are travelling more than ever. If we have a user-friendly Airport, we would go a long way toward tapping into that market.'' As Shadow Minister of Transport, Mr. Dennis Lister wanted to know if the drivers of the specially equipped taxicabs will receive any training.

And, he asked, citing a mode of transportation that might be more "economical'' for handicapped users, "what about the buses? We wouldn't want those (taxis) here and find that it's just too costly to use them.'' Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade, who said that he had a long-standing connection to the handicapped community, echoed Mr. Lister's concerns when the bill went into committee.

"There's no point in bringing in these taxis,'' Mr. Wade told the House, "when most of the handicapped are on Government assistance.''