Taxi owners will be free to replace their cars with larger ones if changes to the Motor Car Act are ratified by the Senate.

The changes were passed with little debate yesterday but some Opposition members did express concern that with larger cars on the road pedestrian safety might be imperiled.

And ruling party backbencher Arthur Hodgson came up with a novel proposition - that licence fees for cars be calculated according to mileage.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown had discussed plans to allow luxury limousine service on the Island early this year, saying the new service would enhance Bermuda's reputation as a luxury destination.

During yesterday's introduction of the bill, he stressed that the legislation would not mean that cabbies had to buy bigger cars.

If the changes are approved in the Upper House the maximum taxi size would be 210 inches long and 77 inches wide, an increase of 10 inches and two inches respectively.