A band of 12 leaders to take Bermuda's transport system beyond 2000 was announced yesterday by Transport Minister Ewart Brown.

And he admitted some were actually selected because of their distance from the groups that they would now help to formulate policy for and represent.

But senior figures in the taxi industry last night blasted his comments on the appointment of political analyst Walton Brown -- who does not own or operate a cab -- as the Taxi Advisory Committee chairman. Dr. Brown said in the past the Taxi Advisory Committee had unwisely been allowed to become a "taxi lobby group'' lobbying the Minister on behalf of owners and operators.

"We have purposely identified an individual whose political and diplomatic skills are beyond reproach, one who has experience in this community and who understands the concept of service.

"We think he will help to guide this committee in the direction of public service so that the taxi industry becomes ever mindful, or continues to be ever mindful, of its first and primary purpose.'' Bermuda Taxi Federation secretary Joe Brown wished "Godspeed'' to the new chairman and committee but criticised the Minister's remarks.

"Obviously the Minister has not been following past TACs,'' he said.

"Nothing is further from the truth that it's been like a lobby group. I've been a member for the past three years and it was a non-entity, totally useless.

"The whole problem was the Minister would only listen to us less than 15 percent of the time. They listened to lobby groups much more than us.'' Dr. Brown said the 12 chairpersons were Bermuda's "brightest and best'' and a good representation of the whole community.

Dr. Brown said the 12 leaders were selected for "their vision, their energy and their ability to get things done''.

Coalition for the Protection of Children spokeswoman Sheelagh Cooper was appointed as Water Safety Council chairperson, and Delcina Bean-Burrows chairperson of the Road Safety Council.

PLP MPs appointed as chairmen yesterday include Wayne Perinchief to the Air Advisory Committee, Arthur Pitcher to the Public Transportation Board and Stanley Morton to the Cycles and Private Cars Advisory Committee. Also appointed were Austin Thomas to the Air Transport Licensing Board, Wendy Woods to the Medical Reference Committee, Paul King to the Public Service Vehicle Licensing Board, Mark Sousa to the Technical Advisory Panel, Alexander Swan to the Trucks Advisory Committee and Walter Roban to the Ports Authority.