Taxi drivers are backing a Government announcement to establish a taxi authority that will have overall responsibility for the industry.Transport Minister Terry Lister yesterday said a committee had been appointed to prepare the framework for the development of the authority.The committee has been given an “aggressive timetable” and is expected to complete its report by the end of the business day on April 30, said Mr Lister.It will be meeting with stakeholders in the industry including taxi owners, operators, hoteliers and the general public with the end goal of establishing an authority to address concerns.Taxi driver Lee Tucker said the authority is a “positive indication” that drivers will get some of their needs and issues addressed.“We have met with Mr Lister and we received a very good impression of what his intentions are and we have worked with the Department of Transport to see how we can assist in any possible way with the authority,” said Mr Tucker, spokesman for Concerned Group of Bermuda Taxi Operators.He said the organisation, set up by drivers who felt they had not been treated well or represented properly, aimed to develop a better relationship with Government.Mr Tucker said he wasn’t sure whether the group would continue running if an authority was developed, but said they would contribute their thoughts on how to improve the quality of service.Tafari Outerbridge, a taxi driver for 15 years, said he believed the industry could benefit from such a move.“I would hope that it is capable of addressing the issues. If that is what is being proposed then by all means we are looking forward to making some headway with this industry in my opinion.“I would think it is needed. By all means I am looking forward to it and whatever help or assistance that I can bring to it then most definitely. I will put 100 percent efforts towards it if they want to. I would hope every taxi driver would have some kind of positive input or feelings towards it.”Mr Outerbridge said the cost of living was among the wide range of issues that should be addressed. He said he hoped an authority would implement some regulation towards the mini-bus services.Mr Lister said the committee would include chairman Neville Tyrell, MP Lovitta Foggo, general manager of Grotto Bay Hotel, Clyde Darrell, and taxi owners Owen Darrell and Irving Butterfield.The group is to look at legislation and policy, dispatch companies and insurance issues.Once the committee’s work is done, and the authority is in place, Mr Lister said he hoped not to revisit this “controversial subject for many, many years”.“It is intended that this authority would assume sole responsibility for the taxi industry that currently falls under the Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board. In short, we want the taxi industry to assume responsibility for themselves.“The committee’s mandate will be to: consider the scope of the taxi authority, review the benefits of establishing the authority and determine how the authority would function differently from the current board.” He continued: “I realise at times the debate will be heated, to say the least. But we need to rise above personal issues and do what is right for the greater good.“As the Government continues to enhance the tourism product, it is vital that the Ministry of Transport takes the necessary steps to improve our transportation service offerings and, in particular, the taxi industry.“I am confident that this committee will get the work done in a professional, thorough and timely manner. The time for endless meetings rehashing the same old, tired arguments is over. As Minister I am determined to take action.”