Taxi drivers last night rejected part of a Government offer to give them a 20 percent increase in fares this year followed by a five percent hike later.

Taxi spokesman Lee Tucker said the decision was almost unanimous amongst what he said was an audience of more than 500 drivers and operators at Warwick Workmen's Club.

Mr. Tucker would not reveal what parts of the package - which Government was linking to driver performance, safety and other issues - was rejected, but he said they would be seeking a further meeting with Premier Alex Scott.

Bermuda Taxi Owners Association (BTOA) met the Premier yesterday because they say they cannot get a fair hearing from Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown.

Speaking after the meeting last night BTOA spokesman Lee Tucker said: "Certain things need to be discussed further and certain things have been rejected, although I am not at liberty to say what at this stage.

"The decision was almost unanimous and we hope we can reach a favourable conclusion for the travelling public and the drivers and we hope Government will see the light in what we are trying to do."

Some of the drivers have been locked in a lengthy and bitter dispute with Dr. Brown over his insistence that they adopt global satellite positioning technology.

Transport Permanent Secretary Marc Telemaque said on Sunday evening that the new deal being offered to drivers - who have not had a fare increase since 1997 - was "part of a more comprehensive package which will deal with a number of taxi owner concerns including security issues and issues surrounding new and improved vehicles".

When asked why the drivers had decided to go to the Premier rather than Dr. Brown, Mr. Tucker said: "If Dr. Brown isn't humble enough to take his shoes off for the United States at the Airport, he is not going to be humble enough to listen to us."