Despite attempts by Government to help fund the cost of installing GPS equipment in taxis, drivers are calling for more information and more options before the industry goes digital.

At a Press conference yesterday spokesman for the Bermuda Taxi Operators Association Lee Tucker said cabbies were asking for clarification over a letter sent to their membership from the Transport Control Department.

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.

Drivers believe the letter is unclear, according to Mr. Tucker, and they are asking for clarification since there is no price of the cost of equipment included in the letter.

“They say 50 percent off but 50 off what? They have given us no figure to take 50 percent off,” said Mr. Tucker. “Government hasn't given us anything concrete at all. The mood at the moment is hostile among drivers, we've been receiving calls from our membership saying they're not interested in this at all.”

The letter from Mr. Clarke, dated December 10, states the Government will fund 50 percent of the cost of the equipment and the installation cost of the equipment listed below 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.

Mr. Tucker said on January 12 drivers are invited to attend a general membership meeting to discuss the issue.

Taxi drivers also want to sit down with Transport Minister Ewart Brown and taxi facilitator Gary Philips to look at the system they have researched. Cabbies want to promote a digital dispatch system displayed at a trade show in Florida last month called PC Dispatch which they believe will offer a more efficient, cost effective service.

“We want to clear the air among members and the general public. We have been working hard over the last few months to resolve the problem of the dispatching systems to see how transportation with the taxis can be improved,” said Mr. Tucker.

“We have decided we will not be dead-lined without having a meeting with the Minister and we would invite the executives responsible for this letter to attend our meeting on January 12 to clear the air. There's a lot of mistrust in this area and we want to sit down and solve the issue and get on with servicing the public.”

When asked to comment on the issue, Mr. Clarke said more than a dozen taxi owners had already signed up for the 300/300 plan and were clear about the issues. The first 300 taxis to sign up to be outfitted with the equipment would receive a fifty percent discount. The next 300 would have the installation price reduced by 25 percent.

Mr. Clarke said a price had not been publicised since a local distributor had not approached TCD with a price and supply ready to service customers.

Can Tech and Mobile Knowledge are several dispatching companies who have had their systems approved, and he added additional presentations on other suppliers were welcomed by TCD.

“We're interested in looking at the PC system and what it can do, and we're open to people making a presentation to us” said Mr. Clarke.

Michael Ray, a member of the BTOA, said the PC Dispatch system is an effective system and more cost-effective than the systems Government had proposed. GPS, he said, is a feature which can be added on. Local dispatch companies are also looking into the PC system, said Mr. Ray.

“This company has a few dispatch companies in the United States who utilise this information on the same premise as a food delivery or pizza delivery service, the information is put into a database” he said. “We think it will make both sides happy if everyone is to see what is being recommended and we believe it will be more cost effective for the taxi driver.”

The cost figure of the PC equipment is between $80,000-100,000 for permit holders.

“It must be reasonable so it does not cause the passenger any additional charge,” said Mr. Tucker. “We're asking the Government to co-operate with us to prevent escalating cost.”