A bill making the controversial global positioning system (GPS) mandatory for Bermuda taxis was tabled in the House of Assembly today.

Transport Permanent Secretary Marc Telemaque said the bill, which will incorporate all computerised dispatch for taxis, was part of a package to “improve the service and modernise the taxi industry”.

“This bill only forms one part of the proposal that the Minister has put forth,” Mr. Telemaque said.

He said GPS was part of the bill along with two-way radios, GPS components and security systems for taxi drivers.

The remainder of the proposal, which includes taxi fare increase and shared riding will come immediately after, he said.

The bill, if passed, will make it mandatory for taxi drivers and taxi dispatch companies to have GPS systems and alarms fitted within six months.

Many taxi owners have voiced their concerns over GPS implementation in their taxis citing cost and say they will not back GPS legislation.

Last month, Bermuda Taxi Operators Association spokesman Lee Tucker said the drivers and owners backed the pay rise and some of the other proposals, but not a GPS dispatching system along with some other recommendations.