Just one vote allowed Government to pass a law to increase car licences in the House of Assembly on Wednesday night.said The Motor Car Amendment Act 2006 would increase the cost of vehicle licences by five percent across the board on April 1.

?There have been major strides in efficiency at the Transport Control Department,? Mr. Scott said mentioning a new online appointment system. ?This increase serves to reflect the enhancement to which I just referred.?

The Acting Transport Minister also said it was the first increase in car licences for two years.

However, UBP MP called the tax jump unconscionable and said the Opposition would oppose the Bill as people forced to live in cars might not be able to do even that anymore.

But Government won with 15 votes to a full Opposition?s 14.

Tourism and Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, Education Minister Terry Lister, Community Affairs and Sport Minister Dale Butler and backbencher Renee Webb were missing from the House and could not vote.

Shadow Minister of Finance continued to say that an inordinate amount of people rely on their cars not just for transport but for a roof over their heads.

?It?s disgraceful,? she said.

Opposition Leader suggested that the licence fee increase could be paid in stages ? either on a quarterly, or half-yearly basis.

Deputy Opposition Leader said Government should hold back on taxes because people needed their transportation.

?I can?t understand why they need to increase taxes, when there is total unaccountability on how they spend it,? Mr. Dunkley said. ?It doesn?t add up.?

In reply, Mr. Scott said the Opposition was focusing on a fraction of people but omitted the owners of construction vehicles for whom a five percent raise was easy.

He said with a great increase of cars on the roads already, Government did not want to make it any easier for further increases.

Mr. Scott then read the Auxiliary Bicycles Amendment Act 2006 which sought to raise private cycle licence to $54.18 and livery cycles to $77.49 .

The Opposition also opposed this bill.

Shadow Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety said if Government accepted Bermuda had a traffic problem, it would reduce licence fees on bikes to encourage people to leave their cars and ?unnecessary trucks?.

?The burden will go to young people trying to get to college,? Mr. Burgess said.

However, the Auxiliary Bicycles Amendment Act 2006 was also passed and both Bills will be debated in the Senate.