Larger and more powerful taxis will hit the roads of Bermuda after the House of Assembly passed new legislation on the size of the vehicles.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown introduced the new measures due to difficulties in obtaining modern taxis that fall within the previous 200 inch length, 75 inch width, maximum engine size 3800cc, regulations.

He also said the increased demands for luggage capacity, for items such as golf clubs, necessitated the change in the 1951 Motor Car Act. Vehicles are now allowed to be up to 210 inches with a maximum width of 77 inches ? there is no maximum engine size limit.

Shadow Transport Minister Jamahl Simmons called for a detailed review into the need for additional sidewalks to be built due to the potential danger of the larger vehicles on the Island?s notoriously narrow byways.

?I support his legislation,? he told the House.

?It is a move that is good for the taxi industry and good for the motor vehicle industry as a while as well as the consumer.

?But with the wider vehicles we will have to look at more sidewalks where possible.

?Even now you see schoolchildren walking along roads with no sidewalks and they are pinned up against bushes as traffic passes.?

He also called for payroll tax relief for taxi drivers in the winter months due to the decline in the tourism industry.

Shadow Housing Minister Wayne Furbert then called for taxis to be limited to four passengers when picking up from the airport to alleviate the luggage problem, but said that taxis should still be able to take six passengers for tours.

The new legislation also amended rules over the calculation of the cost of motor car licences, working to the nearest day rather than to the nearest month to ensure a fairer deal for the motoring public.Some redundant legislation governing contractors working at United States bases was also repealed.