Government has put its foot down over the GPS issue and given taxi drivers until June 30 to get necessary dispatching equipment installed.

Junior Transport Minister Marc Bean said dispatch company Bermuda Taxi Radio Cabs would have until the end of the month to comply with the law or their permit would be suspended.

Taxi drivers would however have a "grace period" until the end of June to find another dispatching service to operate under. If drivers can show they are making necessary steps to comply, they will be given a written letter that allows them to operate until June 30.

Those who refuse, could be ordered by a Magistrate to pay up to $1,400 per day for the infraction. At a packed meeting last night, close to 150 taxi drivers gathered at the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) to voice their opinions and offer up solutions to the ongoing issue.

One driver suggested that a potential taxi advisory board be created and act as a point of contact and information for the industry. The board could provide a more consensus based approach to dealing with these issues, the man said.

And while the Minister welcomed the idea, he said Government was still prepared to enforce the respective deadlines.

"It's very unfortunate that we as a Government have had to take steps which in a lot of ways in the mind of many of the drivers cause grievances to them and hardship, especially economic," said Mr. Bean.

"But again the Government's position is that the liability is based on Radio Cabs. Their desire not to comply with the law and act like a renegade does nothing to benefit the industry and as we can see today does nothing to benefit their subscribers, the taxi operators and owners.

"And so it's a shame that the owners and operators, even though they have chosen to use Radio Cabs, have not received the service to allow them to comply with the law," he said.

The meeting was heated at times, with some taxi drivers staying on to talk further into the night. One taxi driver said he was not concerned about the possible fine and stated last night: "Under normal process whether it be a union or otherwise, you will go by way of mediation, then go by arbitration, then you may have a tribunal, then you may have a court date and I say 'bring it on'."

He continued: "And the Government tonight has not proven any data tonight why we have to comply, they haven't given any numbers."

Another driver said: "They are taking 300 guys out of a job."

Driver Glen Simmons said: "The thirty days they have given us to comply I think it is a bit harsh under these economic times. We are local class people and taxi driving has enabled us to raise our children, but that was then. Now the drastic measures have changed. The Government has actually tightened up their purse strings, and hopefully they will look at the interest of the Bermudian that has actually laboured within the field."

Mr. Bean said he understood drivers were under financial strain and had families to look after and children to put through school.

He told The Royal Gazette: "Basically (taxi drivers) have lives to live and all they are trying to do is make an honest living. So whatever I can do to find a consensus between the government and this industry so we can rectify this issue then I certainly will pursue it."