A 10-point plan, soon to be released by the Bermuda Taxi Owners Union, is to tackle issues close to the hearts of Bermuda's taxi operators.

While the newly-elected chairman of the union, Mr. Wendell Tucker, was unable to disclose details of the plan yesterday, he said it would cover issues of direct interest to Bermuda's taxi drivers and owners.

"There are things we really have to come to grips with,'' Mr. Tucker said.

"In the past few months there have been too many negatives -- we want to do something positive.'' His comments came in the wake of a BTOU annual general meeting on Thursday. Safety is currently one of several issues that tops the agenda of BTOU members, Mr. Tucker said. But other issues, including management changes at the Bermuda Civil Air Terminal and the effects of recent new flights to the Island were of equal concern.

The BTOU is also pressing to have the Drinkwater Report -- a report prepared by Government last year to examine the taxi industry, debated in the House of Assembly.

"We can't just sit back,'' Mr. Tucker said. "We feel very strongly the report should be put before the House and debated.'' At the meeting on Thursday, Mr. Tucker succeeded interim president Lt. Colonel Eugene Raynor as union president.

Elected first vice-president was Mr. Dennis Hollis. Mr. Rupert Holdipp is second vice-president, Mr. Tony Philpott is treasurer and Mr. Joe Brown is secretary and public relations.

Other members of the executive committee include financial secretary Mr.

Richard Powell, statistical secretary Mr. Bishop Seaman, business and improvement member Mr. Ewart Fox, historian Mr. Onslow Wilson, and chaplain Mr. Sydney Herbert.

Joining Mr. Tucker on the Bermuda Taxi Advisory Board that advises Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess are Mr. Sam DeSilva, Mr. Lee Tucker, and Mr.

Ernest Burgess.

Mr. Brown said the union hopes to one day represent all of Bermuda's 560 taxi owners who have vehicles and licences, called medallions, worth about $60 million.

According to Mr. Tucker, the BTOU will be actively encouraging better communication between the Island's taxi drivers and owners.

"Our aim is to communicate with all the different taxi operators and bring them together,'' Mr. Tucker said.

And so far the response from other organisations has been "very positive'', he said.

"We want to let the public know there are efforts being made to consolidate.

We can't go on fragmented. We are trying to ensure a common ground. We are saying, "Let's get on and so something positive''.'' And with the summer season coming up, it was important for the BTOU to be confident it was heading in the right direction, he said.

But Mr. Tucker was quick to add that the idea was not radical or new. During the 20 years of the union's existence, a number of members had put much time and energy into improving the industry.

Mr. Tucker confirmed that the draft of the plan's framework would be announced over the next few weeks.

Following the announcement, a series of meetings including one with the Minister of Transport, would be scheduled to give the union a chance to outline their concerns.

"Everyone believes this industry has played an important part in the overall development of tourism,'' Mr. Tucker said. "Now it is time to look at the big picture.''