Government was accused of electioneering and political manoeuvring over the apparent reversal of policy on mandatory GPS devices for the taxi industry.Shadow Transport Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin voiced scepticism over what she termed an “eleventh hour pullback” over as issue Government had “years to resolve”.A Ministry of Transport statement on behalf of the Taxi Commission said cracking down on drivers who don’t comply with the law would be “ill-served”.In response, Ms Gordon-Pamplin said: “The Government has not wanted choice on this matter but now, on the eve of an election, the industry gets a statement saying it will, in effect, not punish non-compliant taxi owners for now.”The One Bermuda Alliance maintains its position that GPS should be optional, she added.“If drivers feel it offers them a competitive advantage, they should use it,” she said.A statement for Transport Minister Walter Roban said that the partnership between Government and the Taxi Commission was showing success, with “a growing consensus by dispatch companies to move toward a universal dispatch service”.The aim is “the modernisation of the industry”, which could include “advertising services, better insurance rates and lower prices on parts and fuel”.Bermuda Taxi Operators Association President Leopold Kuchler described the Taxi Commission statement as “electioneering” and “absolute rubbish”.Mr Kuchler, 60, believes GPS devices are unsafe because drivers have to take their eyes off the road to use them, and they should be optional.Ivan Smith, 63, said the Commission had adopted suggestions from taxi drivers that a suite of incentives to lower operating costs should be adopted, such as discounted rates for insurance and vehicle parts. However, he said, GPS should be optional and the perks should be available to all drivers, whether they work for a dispatching company or not.“That way we would all get the sweets but would operate the business in the manner in which we see fit,” said Mr Smith, an independent operator who does not use GPS.