better times.

The focus is on releasing the grip on the industry by regulations.

It includes combating chaos at the Airport when baggage-laden passengers arrive.

And a wide-ranging investigation of taxi laws is also proposed, with licensing and registration being scrutinised.

Another idea is to remove the legal limit on how much licensed firms can charge for journeys sold in advance.

Other measures include: Creating a limousine service, under which drivers in unmarked cars can set their own fees, but not ply for hire; Working out the role of the Public Service Vehicle Licensing Board; Threatening to remove licences from cabbies who dodge paying rental to owners of their vehicles; and Removing the need for dispatching firms to communicate with taxis by two-way radio.

The proposals have been drawn up by a special committee appointed by Cabinet.

A report, "Recommendations for Change in Bermuda's Taxi Industry'', was tabled in the House of Assembly on Monday.

Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess later told The Royal Gazette : "This report was commissioned following a series of complaints by taxi operators about the general state of their industry and about financial hardship experienced during the recession.

"The technical committee met on 14 occasions and interviewed 24 individuals, who represented a cross section of Bermuda's public transportation industry.'' Mr. Burgess said copies had been handed to the Taxi Advisory Committee, which will comment to Government on the recommendations.

"The report provides much food for thought. It challenges the taxi operators to take responsibility for progress and improvement in their industry.

"We are seeing changing demands in our tourist industry. The taxi industry must posture itself to meet these ongoing changes and proceed to develop an industry which is innovative and competitive in today's market.

"The report also provides a broader review and recommends some fundamental changes to the existing arrangements governing the regulation of the taxi industry.

"The possibility of relaxation in industry regulation presents an opportunity for increased innovation and entrepreneurial spirit within the taxi industry.'' The report found the taxi industry was "ailing'', and many cabbies were frustrated by a lack of understanding of their problems.

But the report added: "To some degree, they must blame themselves if some people tend not to want to listen to them.

"They are well known for their ability to expound, often dramatically and at length, their views on the state of the taxi business.'' Taxi operators often could not agree among themselves about the state of their business.

The report stated Airport changes were badly needed to ease congestion, improving visitors' first impressions of Bermuda.

It recommended reversing the flow of passengers out of Customs; extending the taxi ramp to allow buses and pre-arranged taxis to load passengers and baggage; and installing signs to show where transport can be found.

The committee also believed tourism chiefs should look into giving passengers on planes information about Airport transport.

In addition, it was thought dispatch firms should not be responsible for greeting and directing passengers to taxis and buses.

And the committee stated a Civil Aviation employee -- not one from the Transport Control Department -- should direct passengers to taxis and solve traffic problems.

Another idea was for the Visitors Service Bureau Desk to be re-sited against the wall in front of the Customs area exit.