Government is to sanction the introduction of bigger taxis, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown revealed last night.

Dr. Brown said the bigger vehicles were needed because people were arriving with more luggage.

He said: "I have heard complaints about that and I think it's a valid issue."

He said the larger mini-bus style taxis were already on the island but had been brought in under "false pretences" by owners claiming they would be used to pick up handicapped people.

But he said some of these drivers were ignoring calls from wheelchair bound customers.

Import duties were waived on wheelchair accessible vehicles which make up around ten percent of Bermuda's fleet of 600 taxis.

Dr. Brown said: "They wanted larger vehicles, they claimed they were bringing them in to handle physically challenged people. We'll bring an end to this scam."

"It's something we have known about for a quite a while. We have a problem in getting taxis to people who are physically challenged. We are concerned and we are going to do something about it."

He urged people to report drivers who were not answering these calls.

He said: "We can have drivers answer the complaints at the public vehicle licensing board and have a penalty determined by the board, that's why the board is in place."

This view was echoed by Edward Darrell, joint owner of Radio Cabs. He said: "TCD has a list, they know who the drivers are."He said drivers had to answer calls or have a legitimate reason why they couldn't attend.

Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association President Willard Fox said he had brought two cases to TCD and one driver had been banned from the road for three months.

But he added: "I am not pleased with TCD, they are too slow to do their job. They have the power but they won't use it because they have four or five taxi drivers on their board."

He said taxi drivers came up with a variety of excuses as to why they couldn't pick up handicapped passengers.

"About four or five of them are very good but they can't be everywhere."

"But it only takes three minutes to load the wheelchair. I am not after a free ride.I pay my way but if you are paying you should expect the same service as other people get."

Mr. Fox said TCD had promised to write to drivers with the special cabs to remind them of their obligation to pick up disabled passengers.

Shadow Transport spokesman Gary Pitman said he regretted a move to allow more larger taxis because it would lead to increased overcrowding on the roads.

He said: "We should be doing everything to move away from that."