help the disabled.

Sen. Lawrence Scott (UBP) said that making travel easier for the disabled was a promise the Government had made for some time.

He said all the legislation would do is allow some taxis to be longer, wider and have a bigger engine to accommodate the disabled and wheelchairs.

He added: "There is some interest from drivers who want to provide this service.'' Sen. Neletha Butterfield (PLP) said her party had pushed for more action to help the physically challenged.

She said: "The lack of adequate transportation means there are places they have not been able to go.'' She added she knew of one disabled student who dropped out of school because of travelling difficulties and the cost.

And she asked the Government to consider buying new buses equipped with wheelchair facilities so the disabled could use public transport as well.

Sen. Butterfield said: "Twenty taxis equipped to accommodate the handicapped may seem enough, but it may not be.'' And she expressed concern about the cost of using a cab, especially for a disabled person.

Sen. Yvette Swan (UBP) said that there were disabled-friendly buses in Bermuda, with the King Edward Hospital and the Ministry of Education having that facility.

She added the new taxis would be "a novel step forward for the physically challenged,'' and would also help tourism since many handicapped people visited Bermuda.

"Twenty vehicles may not seem a large number, but at least it's a start,'' she said.

In restating his motion, Sen. Scott said that while Government's approach might be seen as "piecemeal,'' it was trying to move forward to "a fully-fledged service'' for the handicapped.

What Government could do depended partly on what technology was developed outside Bermuda and how much it cost.

"We're not insensitive to the needs of the physically challenged in any way.'' The Motor Car Amendment Amendment (No. 4) Act 1995 was passed without objection.