The Bermuda Hotel Association (BHA) has urged taxi operators and Government to consider third party intervention to help resolve the taxi dispute.

The BHA is increasingly worried about the Government and taxi stand off.

Chief executive officer of the BHA, John Harvey, said: ?The BHA has been monitoring for sometime the differences that exist within the taxi industry and, indeed met with taxi and Government representatives with a view to assisting them in securing a resolution. Unfortunately, this did not occur as there is a tremendous lack of trust on behalf of the taxi operators, who are unwilling to entertain any of the features relating to Government?s position to implement a GPS system.?

Mr. Harvey said: ?The Bermuda public, in general and the hotel industry, in particular, have experienced from time to time unwarranted delays, which has resulted in dissatisfied clients and therefore, it is prudent to examine or explore any system that could advance our current level of service going forward.?

Many taxi drivers are protesting GPS and therefore service has ceased since last week, making it very difficult to hail a taxi. However, those few that are not protesting are in operation.

Mr. Harvey added: ?It is imperative for all parties involved to commit to a degree of trust, respect and unselfishness, if we are to succeed with this current labour challenge and again, I urge both parties to meet immediately with a view to reaching agreement on the best possible system of providing on?island taxi service to the Bermuda public and our valuable overseas hotel guests.?

He said: ?No work?stoppage lasts forever, the trick is to resolve it as soon as possible and the best way is for the parties to meet and make it happen.?

The Ministry of Transport said yesterday that the Bermuda International Airport and the Public Transportation Board indicated that services operated according to schedule over the weekend.

A Ministry spokesman said: ?It was a very busy weekend, and we noticed more taxis servicing visitors and members of the public than earlier in the week. But by all accounts, the supplementary schedule went very smoothly.

?We were very effective in terms of our communication and coordination between the Ministry and the membership of the Bermuda Hotel Association.?

The Ministry thanked those members of the public who assisted those in need of transportation.

Those members of the public who provide transportation should do so on a voluntary basis, said the Ministry.

The Ministry noted that if the taxi protest continues today, the supplementary service should would remain in effect.