Angry cabbies yesterday blasted a decision to grant a limousine licence to a new operator.

And Michael Glasgow of the Bermuda Taxi Owner's Federation warned: "This is going to affect everybody -- not just taxi drivers, but existing operators.'' He added: "One of our major concerns is that we, as a major part of this industry, were never informed or consulted about this new licence even being requested.'' Mr. Glasgow pointed out that three hotels had shut their doors in the last eight months "due to a decline in business''.

And he said: "This decline also affects the transportation industry as well.

"There are two airport limousine services already operating and if it was necessary to increase the service then we feel these two companies should have been asked to increase their capacity.'' Mr. Glasgow was speaking after Bermuda Small Properties Ltd. was granted a licence for a luxury bus service.

Bermuda Small Properties boss Stephen Martin is understood to be a shareholder in one of the existing operators, Bermuda Hosts Ltd., which currently provides limousine services together with rival Bee Line Ltd.

Bermuda Hosts directors have refused to confirm or deny whether they would attempt legal action against Mr. Martin, believed to also have been "a significant customer'' of the firm in which he held a shareholding.

Existing operators have already met twice with Transport Minister Erwin Adderley to air their complaints.

But Mr. Adderley said that the Public Service Vehicle Licence Board had ruled that Bee Line was operating well below its licenced capacity.

And he added the PSVLB "felt the public was not being adequately looked after''.

He admitted "some people may not like it'' but insisted the board had acted fairly and within the law.

Mr. Glasgow claimed that some Bermuda Hosts drivers at the Airport cut into taxi business already as they "stand inside directing people into their line''.

And he said: "They are only supposed to take pre-paid vouchers booked in advance.'' Mr. Glasgow added the permit fee for a six-seater taxi was currently $50,000.

He said: "If they're going to allow this, they should have to pay $50,000 for every six seats they're granted.'' And Mr. Glasgow claimed: "If they keep just giving away permits, anybody could get into it. It's unfair.'' Last night Mr. Adderley said taxi dispatchers were represented at the meeting.

He added: "I have dealt with this matter and I've explained to them why the Public Service Vehicle Licencing Board acted as they did.'' He said: "The seating capacity was up to 500 seats and we are nowhere near that at the present time.

"Some of the people at the meeting were quite happy, although they said if that figure was to be exceeded, they would be concerned.'' Mr. Adderley said he had not seen the statement by the Bermuda TOA and could not comment further until he had.

But he said: "The matter was in the newspaper and if they were concerned they could have asked to meet with me to discuss the matter.''