Taxi operators opposed to Government?s bid to force them to install global positioning systems (GPS) are planning to lobby Senators over the issue.

In 2002 the Bill was blocked in the Upper Chamber after being passed in the House of Assembly but since then the composition of the chamber has changed ? putting the outcome in doubt.

Last time around Independent Senators, including Senate President Alf Oughton, lined up with the two United Bermuda Party Senators present to oppose the Bill, resulting in a tied 5-5 vote which blocked the Bill.

The new GPS Bill is set to get its first reading today but won?t be debated in earnest until a week later.

Gordon Flood, the president of Bermuda Taxi Owners? Association (BTOA), which had campaigned against GPS, said he didn?t know how the vote will go this time but said his group would be in touch with Senators to persuade them.

?We will just try to feel them out. I don?t think Government has really proved anything different from last time it got blocked in the Senate.?

Independent Senators Alf Oughton, Walwyn Hughes and Jeanette Cannonier, voted with UBP Senators Kim Swan and Neville Darrell last time while UBP Sen. Leonard Santucci was absent.

Since then Mr. Darrell and Ms Cannonier have left the Upper Chamber, as have Progressive Labour Party Senators Lt. Col. David Burch, Calvin Smith, Michael Scott, Patrice Parris and Victoria Pearman who all voted for the Bill.

Yesterday Sen. Hughes said he would not reveal how he would vote until it was time to do so.

Ms Cannonier has been replaced by Carol Ann Bassett who said she was still weighing up the issues.

She said: ?I am still doing my research, reading as many opinions as I can and reading old ?s showing the initial discussion and debate. I haven?t reached a decision as yet.?

The Government Senate team is now led by Attorney General Larry Mussenden and is completely changed.

It now includes Reginald Burrows, who as an MP had announced his intention to abstain on the 2002 GPS vote but then absented himself from the chamber.

Mr. Burrows could not be reached for comment.

Asked if Government could carry the day Sen. Mussenden said: ?Government Senators all accept their obligation to do the Government?s business.?

He said GPS was no different.