Taxi drivers who do not sign up with the Transport Control Department for a discount on digital dispatch equipment will miss the opportunity to cut installation costs said Transport Minister Ewart Brown yesterday.

At a Press conference this week Bermuda Taxi Operators Association spokesman Lee Tucker said cabbies were calling for more information and an extension of the January 30 deadline.

The BTOA was sent a letter from the Acting Director of TCD Charles Clarke asking cabbies to reply to the proposed discounts for installing the GPS equipment, mobile data terminal and security panic button.

The letter from Mr. Clarke sent to the BTOA on December 10 states the Government will fund 50 percent of the cost of the equipment and the installation cost of the equipment for the first 300 taxis to register for the plan. The letter goes on to state that the Government will also fund 25 percent of the cost of equipment and installation of equipment for the remaining 300 taxis through the 300/300 Plan which is administered on a first come first serve basis. All interested parties are asked to apply in writing to TCD on or before January 30, 2005.

?We have no plans to extend the deadline, because many owners have already responded and a steady stream continues,? said Dr. Brown. ?Our offer is as clear as we could make it. We could not state a certain figure because we do not know what it might be.?

He added: ?But 50 percent is 50 percent.?

Yesterday BTOA spokesman Lee Tucker said his association was not interested in Government?s proposal since it did not have a price tag for the type of equipment.

?No means no as far as we?re concerned. There?s no supplier or no provider locally for this equipment ? how do we know if the price will not be inflated?

?GPS is not something that has to be installed as mandatory with this equipment. At this point what we are asking the Government to do is to give us an indication of what equipment will be accepted other than GPS. Owners and taxi operators are inviting the Premier, the Director of TCD, and the PS to attend our meeting on January 12 where we will be stating our position.?

However, Dr. Brown said moving the industry forward with digital technology was a priority for Government.

?As for the criticism, I believe it will stop once the owners find out that that after years of resisting the change, they cannot now find any equipment that is not GPS equipped. When would the Government like to see the cabs go digital ? as soon as possible.?