Bermuda's taxi drivers will meet today to decide how to respond to a pending bill which would force them to adopt digital dispatching technology.

Lee Tucker, president of the Bermuda Taxi Owners Association, said yesterday that his executive had decided to call a meeting of the general membership for this evening.

Earlier this week he told The Royal Gazette that some informal discussions had already taken place.

"We intend some action and will be making a statement in the near future. Will not say what that action may be but some form of protest action is definitely in the makings. What we are asking for is for the Government to make it optional instead of mandatory and we will be in agreement. If that was the case much of this could be resolved almost immediately," Mr. Tucker said on Sunday.

Last night he would only say that a report will be given to the operators and drivers and then a decision will be made.

Government tabled the controversial GPS bill last week, saying the technology would improve service and taxi drivers' security.

If passed, the Act will make mandatory, in addition to two-way radio sets, the installation of a mobile data terminal, a global positioning device and an alarm device in Island taxis.