Taxi drivers who are still not turning on new mandatory high-tech satellite navigation equipment have been urged by Government to observe ?both the letter and spirit of the law?. revealed last week that as many as 250 drivers from the Island?s largest dispatching company ? BTA (Dispatching) ? were not switching on the Global Positioning System (GPS), despite having it installed in their cabs.

Yesterday, a spokeswoman for the Transport Control Department (TCD) said that the Motor Taxi Regulations were being reviewed prior to the next parliamentary session, which begins in November.

The new law which requires drivers to have GPS equipment installed ? the Motor Car Amendment Act 2005 ? does not make clear whether it is illegal for cabbies to have the system turned off.

But the TCD spokeswoman said: ?Operators will know that it is expected that they operate in accordance with both the letter and spirit of the law.

?Further, taxi drivers who choose not to use their fitted GPS do a disservice not only to themselves but to the travelling public who are relying on the operators to provide for their transportation needs.?

Cabbies working for BTA (Dispatching) who do not turn on GPS have no contact with the firm?s operators, so cannot be sent to jobs around the Island as they arise.

Michael Ray, president and a shareholder in BTA (Dispatching), said he had noticed an increase in drivers using the system since last week.

?I think the guys are aware that it?s law,? he said. ?They are paying for the system so it makes sense to use it. I know there was an increase of about 60 to 80 so I would say 250 of our (400) drivers are using it now.?

The Island?s second largest dispatching firm, Radio Cabs, has now installed 110 cabs with GPS and has plans to fit another 70. Owner Eddie Darrell said that as soon as drivers turned their radios on they were signed into the system. ?It?s automatic,? he said. ?Ours come on when you turn the radio on. It?s up to drivers but if they want to make money they turn it on.

?Unless they are doing tours, they have it turned on. My systems are always on. We have no problems with this.?

Bermuda?s third and smallest cab company, Co-op Taxis, held an emergency meeting for its drivers last week after the Public Service Vehicle Licensing Board suspended its licence to run as a taxi dispatch operation.

The Hamilton-based company, which was unable to begin using GPS by the August 6 deadline because of a delay in getting equipment, pledged to carry on regardless.

It said the ban was due to it not having the 50 operating taxis required by law.

President Alaine Mouchette said yesterday she could not comment on last Thursday?s meeting but added that the company would be making a further announcement in the next couple of days.