Transport Minister Ewart Brown struck back hard last night at a broadcast news report suggesting Cabinet had ordered him to abandon plans for a central taxi dispatch system.

And he cited the launch of a campaign by the Bermuda Taxi Federation to start its own system as a positive sign that support was growing for the concept of a centralised system.

VSB News last night claimed there were rumours that the Minister was under pressure from Cabinet members to scrap the system. The report did not say where the rumours were being circulated and failed to back up the story with any source.

When contacted last night Dr. Brown said: "That story is totally false, ludicrous and irresponsible reporting.

"It's the second example in a couple of weeks which puts VSB News at the lowest level of journalism in Bermuda. Not only is it untrue, but no attempt was made to reach me to see if they could substantiate the rumour.

"I hope the VSB reporter who did this story takes advantage of journalism courses offered on the Internet.'' When pressed further, Dr. Brown added: "Not only is it false, I categorically deny it because it's absolutely false.

"And I'll add that it probably represents a last-ditch effort by those against the centralised dispatch initiative. It has failed, they have failed, and we will be moving forward.'' Turning to a call by the Bermuda Taxi Federation for the rest of the 550 Taxi Permit holders to become shareholders in the BTF, Dr. Brown added his support.

The move follows a pull-back by the Bermuda Industrial Union from running the central dispatch and a presentation at a meeting chaired by Dr. Brown in which owners were encouraged to come up with their own plan.

Joe Brown, BTF President yesterday said that letters of invitation had been sent to all taxi owners "in a bid to harness the interest generated by the Ministry of Transport at the meeting a week ago'' to "contribute to their future''.

Mr. Brown continued: "We are asking all permit holders to come with us so we can become financially empowered in order for the industry -- and not some outside entity, regardless of their noble intentions -- to determine our own destiny.

"We, in the BTF, are asking that each taxi owner become a shareholder before the end of April,'' he added. "This contribution will also cover any system deemed appropriate for our industry, without additional funds.'' In response Dr. Brown said: "I applaud this and in fact I consider it a response to the challenge we laid down last week. We called for the leadership (among taxi owners) to step forward.

"I'm pleased by this response. Transport Control Department Director Kevin Monkman had informed me there had been such a response and I am overjoyed,'' Dr. Brown continued.

Admitting that Government had put the centralise dispatch on the front burner in recent months to get movement from the taxi industry, Dr. Brown was upbeat about the scheme's success.

"Understand that all we wanted to do was get the taxi industry to take the leadership and establish a pattern on what we will do,'' he explained. "We want central dispatch but first they must organise themselves.

"My goal was to see a dispatch system in place so that Bermudians and visitors can call for a taxi and get it in 15 minutes. That's all.'' Dr. Brown further denied that his support for the BTF letter was a "climbdown'' from the joint Government/BIU moves over the past few months, saying: "With this, we're on our way.'' Taxi drivers were warned last night by the leader of one group of owners about giving passengers change before receiving fares.

In a press release Bermuda Taxi Federation President Joe Brown said drivers have also been warned by Police they can refuse to make change for any amount over $20.

"The BTF would like to ask all taxi drivers to stop, with immediate effect advancing their passengers change. Giving a passenger change for any amount before the passenger gives the driver money is letting the entire industry down,'' Mr. Brown wrote.

"We remind drivers that such a careless attitude is an open invitation for the continual loss of hard-earned funds, even moreso during the slow winter months,'' he added.

The call comes on the heels of ten incidents in recent weeks in which drivers have been duped by passengers who got permission to leave a taxi to get money.

"All we are saying is to have the money in hand before the change is given out,'' Mr. Brown said.

"Needless to say the majority of the drivers have been too embarrassed to come forward but it's true.'' Dr. Ewart Brown