trucks on the road and permit the creation of public vehicles for the physically challenged.

Transport Minister Wayne Furbert last night brought the Motor Car Amendment (No. 5) Act 1997 before the House Assembly.

The amendment will allow for the creation of three public vehicles for the physically challenged, he explained.

Mr. Furbert said the purpose-built public service vehicles could only be hired to transport the physically challenged.

Shadow Transport Minister Dennis Lister expressed some concern over the economic viability of the vehicles since they could only service those bound to wheelchairs.

And Mr. Lister noted that only one taxi driver had sought to make his vehicle capable of servicing the physically challenged since Government made the allowance last year.

But Mr. Furbert argued that in addition to locals, there were a number of physically challenged visitors who came to the Island who would also be potential customers.

MPs also approved the Motor Car Amendment (No. 3) Act 1997 which will increase the gross weight of light trucks and private light trucks.

Mr. Furbert said the move was needed because the curb weight -- the weight of a vehicle without fuel -- of light trucks had increased over the years.

As a result of the changes in the industry, the amendment was needed to enable light trucks to carry their heavy loads, he explained.