Taxi drivers labelled Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown a "dictator'' last night at a heated meeting to discuss the proposed Central Dispatch Service.

Hundreds of Taxi drivers packed St. Paul's Centennial Hall where they were introduced to Sigem, a company that could install the Global Positioning System (GPS) in their vehicles whether they like it or not. Sigem is a Canadian company based in Ottawa and formed in 1997. According to its own publicity material it is "the leading source of wireless location tracking systems and products to service providers, enterprises and consumers''.

The company recently signed a CDN $7.5 million deal to provide the world's largest taxi company -- Comfort Transportation PTE, Limited of Singapore -- with a tracking system.

And drivers at the meeting were unhappy with Dr. Brown's comments on the radio yesterday. Dr. Brown reportedly said the system would be put in place even if 400 of the Island's 600 cabbies said no to it and only 200 yes. One driver reported that Dr. Brown had said he would introduce legislation if necessary.

The Press was barred from the meeting, but a taxi driver outside said: "These meetings are simply Dr. Brown wasting people's time so that he can introduce his two-seater cars, fast ferries, and give permission to the hotels to get their own buses.'' Others said Dr. Brown had been dubbed a dictator.

Dr. Brown was joined by Government Backbencher Elvin James, Transport Control Department (TCD) director Kevin Monkman, a Canadian consultant proposing to bring the system to the Island, and several others involved in the initiative.

Taxi drivers were told that the preferred option would be for a new company to be formed, "The Bermuda Central Dispatch Company'' which would be owned by the current dispatch companies and taxi owners, who would both own a percentage yet to be determined. The issue has further divided the taxi industry although those supporting the initiative are becoming more vocal, while those in opposition continue to voice strong disapproval.

Dr. Brown has tackled the industry head-on in an effort to ensure that visitors and residents alike are served efficiently by Bermuda's taxis. A major sticking point for the Island's 600 taxis is the cost of the system.