Taxi drivers say they are surprised by a Bermuda Hotel Association warning that there are not enough taxis servicing the Airport resulting in visitors having to wait for transport.

Even before the peak vacation season begins John Harvey, BHA chief executive officer, has reported guests complaining they have been forced to hang around at Bermuda International Airport waiting for a taxi.

And he has suggested consideration be given to allowing hotels on the Island to operate their own limousine and shuttle services as a solution.

Last night Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said he was aware of taxi service difficulties at the Airport. He warned he would ?take the necessary steps? to fix the problems if they were not remedied before the peak tourism season begins.

He said: ?I have enough information to be concerned. We have not quantified the extent of the problems, but if we have difficulties at this point before the cruise ship crunch and the JetBlue crunch then I have reason to be concerned.?

The Deputy Premier expressed confidence in the Bermuda Taxi Association to provide an adequate service, but added: ?If service levels become a problem then we will take the necessary steps to fix it.?

However, the criticism has mystified Bermuda Taxi Association leader Michael Ray, who said he was trying to contact Mr. Harvey for clarification to find out if he is referring to a one-off occurrence such as a delayed flight which resulted in the visitors having to wait for a ride.

?I want to know what case he is referring to. Was it one or two isolated incidents? We had a problem two weeks ago when the early afternoon Delta flight did not get in until 9 p.m.,? said Mr. Ray.

?It can happen if there are one or two flights that get delayed. If the afternoon flights come in two or three hours late, at the same time as the British Airways and USA3000 flights, it is a problem.

?We are all concerned about this and, in a lot of cases, it is not our fault. There is the slowness of visitors getting through Customs which is a nightmare and other factors.?

In a statement John Harvey said: ?We have received several complaints from incoming guests stating that they have been forced to wait for taxis on arrival. Given the need for Bermuda to excel with each and every guest coming to Bermuda, we find this situation concerning.

?In addition, we are well aware that the cruise ship season will be beginning in the near future and the World Cup Cricket will also be placing further stress on our transportation system.?

Mr. Harvey said that in view of the efforts of the tourism sector and Ministry of Tourism to increase visitor numbers to the Island ?too much has been invested to have those efforts negated by a lack of transportation for our valuable visitors?.

He added: ?We urge all concerned to view this early warning of potential challenges seriously and take the necessary steps to ensure we eliminate any and all barriers to us all providing excellent service to our visitors.

?The Hotel Association stands by to assist where it can and is more than willing to meet to discuss any and all alternatives.?

One alternative that has been suggested by the BHA is for hotels to be allowed to operate their own airport-to-hotel limousine and shuttle service.

That idea was rejected by Mr. Ray, who said: ?We would object to that. The Airport is part of our lifeline. There is no need for hotels to have a limousine service.?

He said occasional taxi delays occurred in many places in the world and said if anyone had to wait an hour for a taxi at Bermuda International Airport it would be an ?extreme? case.