Transport Minister Ewart Brown on the taxi industry.

Dr. Brown said his fellow Warwick West MP will liaise with the Taxi Advisory Committee and one of his first tasks is to oversee Government's plan to recognise the Bermuda Industrial Union as the lead representative of drivers and owners.

"We need an umbrella organisation, because without it we have to take a piecemeal approach,'' he said. "Government and the industry need an organisation to negotiate with instead of the fragmented situation we have today.

"There could have been no better choice to serve as the liaison,'' Dr. Brown continued. Mr. James will primarily serve as a link to Walton Brown, chairman of the Taxi Advisory Committee.

Dr. Brown described Mr. James as "persuasive and forceful, yet sensitive and sensible'' who will also see the industry centralise dispatching.

"El James is a former taxi owner and operator and understands the economy of the taxi industry,'' he said.

All hands in: Transportation Minister Ewart Brown yesterday welcomed Government backbencher and former taxi owner El James as his new Special Advisor on Taxis. Taxi Advisory committee chairman Walton Brown joined in.