taxi service at the terminal to prevent passengers facing lengthy delays to get a cab.

Mr. Minors, the general manager, said all taxis should have radios to prevent hold-ups, which in some cases were as long as 40 minutes at the height of the season.

Bermuda's taxis could be more efficiently dispatched if they all had radios, he said. The lack of radios has resulted in some occasions in cabs sitting empty in St. George's while there were queues of passengers at the airport.

Mr. Minors has spoken to Transport Minister Ewart Brown about the problems.

He said the Minister was aware of the impact lengthy delays could have on the Island's tourist trade and was looking at improving the overall situation regarding taxis.

Taxi operators last night hit back, claiming changes at the Airport, including the introduction of paid parking for cabs, even those on booked jobs, had angered drivers.

The Island's largest taxi operator, Radio Cabs, said the airport should tell drivers when flights were arriving and how many passengers they had on-board.

A spokeswoman for the company claimed "half'' the drivers do not bother going to the airport because they are angry at the paid parking, the introduction of a single line for collecting passengers, and the non-appearance of a lounge which was supposed to be built for drivers waiting on fares.

Mr. Minors told The Royal Gazette the worst problems arose on Thursdays when cruise ships were in port and for late afternoon flights.

The taxi operators were improving the service, but there were still problems which had to be overcome, he said.

Mr. Minors said: "Are we getting the level of service we would like to have? No. There needs to be a better coordination of the dispatching of taxis.

"I can understand the problems on a Thursday, but we've been informed that taxis have been sitting in St. George's waiting to pick up passengers when there is a need for them at the airport.

"From an ideal point of view, every taxi should have a radio as a requirement to operate which would allow them to maximise their use rather than just sitting around waiting for someone to get in.

"The taxi firms are aware of it and are trying to resolve it themselves. I should make it clear that the level of service the taxi drivers provide to customers when they get them in the cabs is excellent.

"There is a reasonable period of time to wait for a taxi. I don't think you should wait for more than ten minutes, but that happens.

"We've had one or two reports of passengers waiting up to 40 minutes. We have been monitoring the situation and when there are problems we've made a report.

"I would like the service improved in terms of off-peak times, like late afternoon flights and Thursdays when the cruise ships come in.'' He said he had made his views known in regular meetings with the Public Service Licensing Board and in discussions with Dr. Brown.

"The Minister is aware of the situation at the airport with regard to co-ordination of taxis and is working to get it addressed,'' Mr. Minors said.

"His board is looking at options for improving the use of taxis because he knows how important this is.'' All drivers using Radio Cabs have radios. A spokeswoman for the company agreed the overall service would be improved if other drivers used radios.

But she added: "The airport should be calling us letting us know when flights are arriving and how many passengers they have got on board, then the drivers would know what to expect.

"Since they've done the renovations in the summer, half the drivers don't even go there. A lot of the things they did, the drivers didn't have an input and they didn't agree with it.

"They have got to pay for parking even when they are waiting for pre-arranged work. There was supposed to be a lounge for the drivers to wait for flights in the slow season, but that didn't happen.

"I know a lot of drivers just drop off and leave. They won't even go over to the other side because of the changes made.'' Dr. Brown said: "We are still waiting for the taxi industry to complete its goal of being organised.

"As soon as it is organised this and many other issues will be addressed. In the meantime we will see to it that passengers are served.'' AIRPORT FLY