Taxi operators who own wheelchair accessible vehicles have been invited to a meeting aimed at improving the service that they provide to disabled customers.

Wheelchair-bound travellers have, in the past, criticised the quality of service provided to them and complained of being overcharged by drivers who are reluctant to have them as passengers.

The meeting is believed to have been called by Tourism Minister Ewart Brown to address these problems.

Mark Telemaque, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, said: ?The Minister wants to discuss with them how best to provide services for the physically-challenged as the disabled community has identified some issues.?

Willard Fox of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association did not know of the meeting until he was contacted by T, and expressed surprise at this.

However, he welcomed the fact that talks are to be held on the issue, commenting: ?I have been trying to get them to address this for 15 years. This is something that needs to be legislated as the drivers have had the chance to take action voluntarily and they have refused.

?The Minister needs to bite the bullet on this and tell the drivers: ?You have got to start driving these guys?