A proposal to bring in a computerised dispatching service for taxi cabs received qualified support from the Progressive Labour Party yesterday.

Lloyd Smith, a taxi driver for more than 25 years, wants to bring the technology to Bermuda from Canada.

He has written to former Premier Sir John Swan and former Transport Minister Maxwell Burgess and has made a presentation to the Bermuda Taxi Federation.

But he has yet to win any of their support. Several cities, like New York, Detroit, Chicago, Halifax, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Singapore have purchased and are using the technology.

The technology involves a central computer system which is hooked up to a mobile screen and a key pad unit in each taxi.

Computer dispatch for cabs mooted This was known as a mobile data terminal and is wired to receive and interpret digital signals. It would not replace the current two-way radio.

Mr. Smith said the new technology would "piggy back'' on the current radio system and would speed matters up considerably.

"The computer would incorporate the current phone directory,'' he explained.

"Each caller's phone number would become their code. When they first call they would give their details such as their location, and the colour of their house.

"After that initial call, they will never have to give those details again.

The next time they call all they have to say is where they are going.'' This Computer Address Taxi Dispatch System (CATDS) would cost each driver around $1,500 for the equipment and about $100 per month to remain linked to the main computer.

Right now a cabby rents a radio for around $97 per month but he is not compelled by law to do so.

"In our modern society the old two-way radio cannot carry the work load,'' Mr. Smith said. "Computers offer better management.'' At the moment he said cabbies were having difficulties with other drivers who placed their radio mikes between the driver console and the seat with the button depressed.

This stopped all other taxis in the area from getting any incoming calls.

Similarly, if a call came in and more than one cabby answered it at once the dispatcher was unable to hear any of them.

Other problems with the present system, Mr. Smith said, included favouritism shown to certain drivers by dispatchers.

They call favoured drivers via cellular phone to tip them off about work.

The journey could also be monitored more closely through the use of computers and the Global Positioning System satellite.

If there was trouble on board a cab, a driver could use either his foot or his hand to send an alarm to the main computer.

The main computer could find his location within seconds and get help to him immediately.

Transport Minister Wayne Furbert did not return a phone call from The Royal Gazette yesterday.

However his Parliamentary Shadow Dennis Lister said: "It sounds pretty good.

Without knowing all the details I can say that anything that will improve the taxi service and help to provide more accurate tracking of the calls and the incidents is a positive step.

"However I cannot give it my total blessing until I am fully apprised. From what little I have heard, it certainly seems like a move toward the future but I need to learn more about it first.''