Transport Minister Ewart Brown fought a hard battle in the House of Assembly on Friday night to promote computerised taxi dispatch.

But the Opposition questioned his determination to make the systems mandatory for all taxi drivers, saying if the system is so profitable for taxis then there was no reason to make in mandatory as taxi drivers themselves would want to install it.

Parliament tackled the thorny topic as a result of a motion moved by Shadow Transport Minister Jamahl Simmons on May 7 which read: “That this Honourable House disapproves of any plan which would make the Global Positioning System (GPS) compulsory for all of Bermuda's taxis.”

On Friday, however, Dr. Brown moved that the motion be amended to read “That this Honourable House take note of the Government's plan to improve public transport by the introduction of a modernised dispatch system.”

The amendment passed with a vote of 15 to 12.

Speaking before the motion was amended, Mr. Simmons began by accusing the Government of pushing GPS while really that job belonged in the private sector.

But this was vehemently denied by Dr. Brown, who compared Transport to the Department of Tourism.

“This is not a private project,” said Dr. Brown.

Mr. Simmons suggested that the GPS should be taken up by the private sector and that there was no place for Government.

“I want to know if Government asked the taxpayer to pay for something that is being sold by a private company,” said Mr. Simmons.

Dr. Brown raise a point of order and said: “The Department is running a public education campaign and there is nothing in that campaign about any private company.”

Mr. Simmons asked Dr. Brown if Transport had looked into the safety issues surrounding GPS in cars.

But Dr. Brown said the systems are in place all over the world.

With a large amount of concern about the computerised dispatch revolving around the GPS to be installed with it, Dr. Brown stated: “It should be noted that the only time that the GPS is used is when a taxi is dispatched or when a driver is in distress.

“The purpose of GPS is not to enable an operator to watch a screen and see where every taxi is located. The purpose of GPS is to dispatch the taxi that is closest to the customer ... We have no interest in the personal affairs of taxi operators.”

Dr. Brown also spent some time listing the benefits of computerised dispatch.

“Speed - when the customer calls the dispatching service, the dispatcher enters the customer's details into the computer. The computer then, using the GPS, locates the taxi nearest the customer and offers the job to that taxi ... Only that taxi knows about the job.”

By not allowing the dispatcher to choose who gets the job, the system eliminates preferential treatment, he said. The system also cuts down on the stealing of jobs.

UBP MP Maxwell Burgess pointed out there was nothing to stop dispatchers contacting drivers via cellphone, however, Dr. Brown said dispatchers may not be allowed to have phone contact with the drivers.

With more than 700 different options for the computerised dispatch that can be set by the operator, the dispatching systems can be approved to meet the needs of any fleet, he said.

And the GPS will increase the safety of taxi drivers via an alarm. “Currently there is no way for a driver to call for help other than using a radio or a cellphone.

“If a driver is injured and cannot talk - either due to an attack or sickness - he can reach the alarm button, thus immediately signalling authorities for help.”

Special service, such as a special number with automated dispatch, can also be offered to frequent customers such as hotels and restaurants.

The system would also allow for cabs to be ordered online. Recurring orders can also be placed, and customers can customise their service, ensuring, for example, that they get a cab they can smoke in, or that is wheelchair accessible.

The computerised dispatch also allows for greater choice in payment methods: customers can use credit or debit cards, cash, or even charge the ride to an account.

Dr. Brown also promised to make the Ministry offices available to anyone wanting more information on computerised dispatch.

The advent of computers into the taxi world will allow for the Ministry to obtain much better data on the industry, Dr. Brown said. “We all know how long it takes for a taxi to be dispatched, and we will be able to monitor the efficiency of the taxi service much more accurately.

“By collecting the above data, we will be able to monitor the use of taxis and take action against taxis that are not available for hire.

“If we know that a portion of the fleet is not available for hire (for whatever reason, whether they are parked or they are being used as limousines) we will be able to make recommendations and take action to ensure that sufficient vehicles are available to service the public.”

The new legislative changes would include: all taxis subscribing to the dispatching service of their choice; all taxis being equipped with a radio, a mobile data terminal, a GPS and an alarm device; and all dispatching companies having the relevant equipment to communicate with the taxis.

Both taxi owners and dispatch companies would be given six months to install the equipment. To get a taxi licensed or re-licensed, the taxi owner would have to provide proof his dispatch fees are paid to protect the dispatch company.

The Public Service Vehicle Licensing Board (PVSLB) would continue to review the fees charged by dispatching companies including, if applicable, for the rental of equipment.

A proposal is being put forward to allow the importation and use of reconditioned taxis, Dr. Brown said - and the restriction on taxi ownership, which limited taxi ownership to a maximum of four per person, may be lifted, allowing any person or company to own their own fleet of taxis.

Dr. Brown also noted benefits the taxi industry already receives such as greatly reduced annual licensing fees in comparison with other vehicles, fewer inspections per year, the relaxation of policies regarding wheelchair accessibility, a reduction in the amount of payroll tax owed, lower duty rates, and increased dimensions of the vehicles.

Legislation allowing shared taxi service from the airport is also being drafted, he said.

Dr. Brown also gave a long list of “fact versus fiction” about computerised dispatch.

With cost being one of the largest barriers against computerised dispatch, he stated: “Even if the equipment needed in a taxi costs $2,000, this is only $10 per day over a six month period.

“Government has committed to allowing six months for the equipment to be installed. Thus, if an owner puts aside the first $10 made each day, he will pay for the system in that six-month period.

“It is not the role of the Government nor the PVSLB to promote one company over another, and neither the Government nor the board has been involved in such a promotion,” he added.

UBP MP Maxwell Burgess hit back by questioning Dr. Brown's determination to make the equipment mandatory.

“If you have any real belief in it you would make it non-mandatory because the proof will be in the pudding ... If the proof is in the pudding, they'll line up like tin soldiers.”

Instead, he accused Dr. Brown of “policing private enterprise”, and insisted there was no guarantee the system would create more jobs. “Why force it?” he asked.

“Government wants to flog the drivers and they want the driver to pay for the information that leads to them being flogged.”

He suggested smaller steps towards upgrading the taxi service, such as installing two-way radios and allowing for shared rides.

He also said taxi drivers who do not wish to be part of a fleet and are happy working with just a cellphone should be allowed to get their taxi licence.

UBP MP Wayne Furbert questioned the financial burden of installing the system on taxi drivers, and suggested allowing shared rides during slow hours when tourists are not using the taxis but locals are.

He also questioned how computerised dispatch would solve the problem of ten cabs lined up at a hotel, saying no cab would be willing to leave the hotel to go to another job.

And he also said the Opposition had no problem with computerised dispatch, but was against the move to make it mandatory. “GPS yes, mandatory no?” Dr. Brown asked, and Mr. Furbert agreed.

“If it works people will jump on board,” he said.

UBP MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin agreed. “At no time have we said no to GPS ... We are trying to ask the Minister to consider a non-mandatory clause,” she said.

Dr. Brown, however, maintained it was safe to conclude the system will be mandatory.

“That is the only aspect that does not sit well with the taxi drivers and owners,” said Ms Gordon-Pamplin. “It would not be unreasonable to ask for consideration of that fact.”

PLP MP George Scott, who is also the owner of one of the companies hoping to sell computerised dispatch to the Island, gave MPs more information on the benefits of computerised dispatch.

When Ms Gordon-Pamplin accused him of trying to make money off the system, Dr. Brown stood in his defence. “He's said he's owner of one of two companies approved to bring computerised dispatch here, and he's given no indication of the money that would be made.”

Opposition Leader Dr. Grant Gibbons suggested that if the technology was so good then why had not the three taxi companies on the Island taken it up.

He reiterated that taxpayers were promoting an item that was “effectively a commercial product”.

For more coverage of debate in Friday's session of the House of Assembly see page 8.