Bermuda Industrial Union President Derrick Burgess said yesterday that plans for a water taxi service should be put on hold until the Island's land taxi service is running properly.

Mr. Burgess was reacting to a story in yesterday's Royal Gazette that a young Bermudian businessman is exploring the possibility of starting up a fleet of private water taxis.

Transport Minister Dr Ewart Brown is encouraging the entrepreneur to look seriously at the idea and has mentioned it to the BIU.

Dr Brown is a strong supporter of utilising the Island's waterways more to cut back on road congestion.

He said he wants the BIU to consider starting a water taxi division, but will not push the issue until the union has sorted out the new centralised land taxi system.

Under the plan, the BIU will manage a central call-out system involving all taxis.

Mr. Burgess said yesterday that taxi drivers were struggling to make a living because hotel closures meant the Island had the lowest bed levels for years.

He said: "Before we (look at the water taxi service) we need to work on what we have to put in in the first place.

"I don't think we should flood the gates with all sorts of transportation until we get the taxis working the way they should work.

"In Bermuda we have less hotel beds than we've ever had with the Marriott closing and other properties, and it's going to be less work for the drivers.

"In a situation like that, we don't want to flood the area and no one is making anything.

BIU President Derrick Burgess