Bermuda's newly-formed taxi central dispatch company has issued a plea to angry drivers opposed to the system to give it a try.

Despite strong hostility from many in the fragmented industry, the Bermuda Central Dispatch Corporation is set to begin business in January, handing out jobs to all the Island's 600 plus taxis.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, who has been frustrated at the chaos in the taxi industry, has announced he will seek permission from Cabinet to force all taxis to become part of the central dispatch system.

The new company has been formed from two of the Island's four dispatch companies - Sandys Taxis and the Bermuda Industrial Union's Taxi Co-Op.

Company President Gladwyn Bean told The Royal Gazette yesterdaythe new system will offer better service to customers and should give drivers business all-year round.

The dispatch company will divide the Island into zones, and beginning in January, all taxis will be fitted with a digital display giving details of all jobs available in each zone. Mr. Bean said the aim was get taxis to customers within 15 minutes.

Drivers will know instantly how many jobs are available in each particular zone and who is next in line for a customer. Mr. Bean said this will allow drivers to move to another zone if business is slow where they are.

Government has still to be decided whether it will be mandatory for all taxis to also install global positioning satellites. The total cost to each driver if they have to install the satellites will be around $1400.

Mr. Bean said yesterday: "We are looking to be a year round business as opposed to being so dependant on the season.

"I know there are good business people in the taxi industry who are making a good wage, but there are others, the majority of people, who are so seasonal, that by the time September comes, they are having to put their taxi down.

"We would like to be able to support that business year-round. We'll speak to Tourism, hotels, the Department of Transport, and try to ensure that there's year-round business for everyone.

"We will be able to speak to Government for the taxi industry with one voice and we will be more influential.

"We know that the current system has its flaws. There are hundreds of taxis in one location and none in other locations, and we are confident the central dispatch will alleviate these problems."

Mr. Bean urged customers to get into the habit of calling a cab rather than hailing one on the streets, so the system can work best.

"I would like to encourage people to try us. We are not going to be effective until people call us. We want people to get away from hailing taxis in the street and into the habit of calling us.

"Taxis will still park on Front Street and Church Street and in hotels, but we would like the general public to get into the habit of asking a barman or a maitre'd to call them a taxi and it will be ready in 10 minutes."

Mr. Bean said there were several options open for drivers to pay for the new system. Drivers could get a discount if they paid the whole lot in one sum, but the company was also trying to secure loans for the equipment.

Another advantage of the new company would be the possible purchasing muscle it could have when buying new taxis.

Around 60 taxis have to be replaced each year, and Mr. Bean said the company could try to secure discount fleet rates when buying the cabs, with the savings passed on to the drivers.