A hotline for the public to register complaints and comments about the Island's transport system starts life today.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said more information was needed about services, including the taxi service which is resisting Government attempts to make cabs install a global positioning system (GPS).

The answer machine messages will be picked up by Transport Ministry staff within 24 hours and calls will be returned if numbers are left.

Dr. Brown told The Royal Gazette: "It's for people to record compliments, ideas and complaints if they have them. It's not just for the taxi service but for the entire public transport system.

"We need to collect more information from the public. During the debate on the GPS system the taxi operators claimed much of the criticism was undeserved and that it was all concocted by the Ministry.

"We are interested in feedback from the public, also in creative ideas which might come from them."

He said a publicity campaign would plug the hotline which will run for the "foreseeable future".

Transport Control Department Director Kevin Monkman said it was just a gripe hotline and compliments were also welcomed but he said serious complaints would be followed up at the appropriate level.

He said: "If a complaint about a taxi driver is serious enough it goes to the public service vehicle licensing board. A serious ferry complaint would go to Marine and Ports services."

Airline, minibus and bus complaints will also be investigated said Mr. Monkman. He said: "It's for anything to do with transportation in Bermuda."

To reach the hotline ( 291-4MOT.