Transport Minister Ewart Brown will this morning table proposals to increase the maximum size of taxis and enable a "new class of taxi service".

Dr. Brown had discussed plans to allow luxury limousine service on the Island early this year, saying the new service would enhance Bermuda's reputation as a luxury destination. Last night he stressed that the legislation would not mean that cabbies had to buy bigger cars.

"We think that this will be an incentive for those taxi operators who chose to participate in a new class of service when we formalise it," he said. "In the beginning I would expect that they just operate as normal taxis. This could be the forerunner to a new class of taxi."

If the changes are approved the maximum taxi size would be 210 inches long and 77 inches wide, an increase of ten inches and two inches respectively. And a maximum engine capacity limit would be removed.

Cabbies who wanted larger cars had first had to agree to install equipment for the physically handicapped. That was unfair, said Dr. Brown, because the burden of transporting the physically challenged fell on taxi owners.

"We are simply saying if you want a larger car, here's a law that will allow you to do it. Some want larger cars for golf clubs ... Some operators want larger cars and the ultimate beneficiary is the passenger."

Dr. Brown said that his Ministry was discussing with representatives of the physically challenged an alternative programme to address their transportation needs. Increasing the size of cars had been under discussion for almost three years, he added.

The legislation, which will be tabled in the House of Assembly today, will also give new owners of vehicles a break by pro-rating vehicle licence fees. Currently, owners have to pay registration fee for a full month even if the vehicle is only registered for a few days of that month.

"That's a very customer-oriented initiative, consistent with our idea of making TCD more customer friendly," Dr. Brown said.