Furious taxi drivers will this morning mount an invasion at the House of Assembly to protest Government's offer on fare increases.

And last night Bermuda Taxi Federation secretary Joe Brown warned if the controversial bill -- which would give drivers a lower increase than demanded and cut back on fringe charges -- is passed by MPs, drivers would probably withdraw service immediately.

Mr. Brown said as many as 300 owner-drivers and their cabs might turn up for the start of today's session in the House.

It is only the second time in nearly 20 years the taxi industry has picketed the Sessions House.

And Mr. Brown insisted Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert would have to up the offer to get out of the jam.

He said: "We are doing this in an effort to show Government we mean business -- they deliberately, and I believe maliciously, gave us a 20 percent increase instead of the 25 percent we deserved and took away our 25 percent surcharge between 10 p.m. and midnight.'' The Royal Gazette revealed yesterday that drivers were set to take action in the House of Assembly area.

But Mr. Brown stressed the protest would be a peaceful one and taxi drivers inside the public gallery of the House would not disrupt proceedings.

He said: "Taxi drivers are the Country's ambassadors. We are gentlemen and will carry ourselves as gentlemen.'' It is likely taxis will begin crowding the area around the House before 10.30 a.m.

Mr. Brown said drivers unable to find parking spaces would probably circle the streets around the House.

He added: "We are not going to intentionally do anything to impede the free flow of traffic, although there might be a bit of congestion.

"But it's a totally peaceful and law-abiding protest and we regret being forced into doing something like this at all.'' Mr. Brown warned that if the bill passed, the negative effects could be felt immediately.

He said: "The Goodwill tournament is being played at four golf clubs involving 97 US teams with four players each.

"Taxis are being used to get them around. The last tee-off time is before our protest so more than likely the teams will get to where they're going -- but getting back might be a different matter.'' The taxi trade have already announced it will start a 24-hour strike from 8 a.m. on Christmas Day to convince Government to change its mind.

The dispute broke out after drivers, who have not had a rates increase for almost eight years, demanded 25 percent on the meter rate.

Government, however, went for a staggered raise of 15 percent and another ten percent later.

But Mr. Furbert withdrew the legislation confirming the new rates and instead set up a special taxi commission under former Premier Sir John Sharpe.

It was the commission which plumped for the 20 percent offer and the controversial suggestion of cutting back the 25 percent late night surcharge from 10 p.m. to midnight.

But Mr. Brown, who has already said the trade might have taken the lesser rate rise if late night rates had been left alone, said the cut in late night bonuses would cost the average cabbie around $3,000 a year in lost income.

Fare fight He added: "This is the first time, I'm sure, in any wage dispute in this Country that an increase has been given and the employee lost part of the income he was already enjoying.'' Mr. Furbert could not be reached for comment last night.

But Sir John said: "We were asked to look at it and make recommendations, which were not binding. It's up to Government to use them or not as they think fit. It's for the Minister to comment, not me.'' Sir John, however, admitted the recommendation to cut back the late night charge appeared to have caused most of the trouble in the trade.

He said: "That was just a recommendation we made because we are probably the only tourist destination which has a surcharge which starts at 10 p.m.'' UNIONS UNS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOA