Bermuda’s taxi association is calling on its members to unite to help to solve problems they face within the industry.

The Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association has invited all of its members to attend a meeting tonight to discuss issues including fare increases and improved dialogue with the Government.

Shari-Lynn Pringle, the secretary of the BTOA, said: “About 11 years ago, when then Premier and transport minister Ewart Brown tried to introduce mandatory GPS, the taxi owners and operators had an opportunity to come together.

“They instead fractured and squandered any opportunity to demonstrate just how much control they have over their own industry.

“An opportunity has presented itself once again and we hope that all taxi owners and operators will recognise this and come together for the betterment of our industry.

“Government cannot implement a complex concept without first fixing a severely broken dispatch service and antiquated regulation.

“Nor can they wave a magic wand and think that just anyone can do the business of a taxi operator just because they’ve conceptualised it. They need to listen to our concerns before bulldozing through with an idea that could destroy a legacy of service by many.

“The self-employed men and women, predominantly Black, deserve an audience with the Premier, his cabinet ministers and decision-makers to present them an opportunity to fix our foundation without adversely affecting Bermuda’s infrastructure — something we’ve been asking for over ten years.”

The invitation for the meeting, which is due to take place at St Paul’s Christian Education Centre in Paget, poses a number of questions to the BTOA members.

It says: “How much do you value the taxi industry? How much do you value your taxi permit? Is your investment into the industry subject to the whim of ideas that government has not thoroughly vetted with persons in the industry? What are you willing to do to save our industry?”

Cab drivers urged the Government last month to allow a 20 per cent increase in metered fares.

The BTOA is also calling for the surcharge for late-night working to start at 9pm, rather than at midnight.

The association said that 600 taxi owners and 4,000 operators have not seen a rise in metered fares since May 2014.

These issues, among others such as calls for a central digital dispatch to be brought in across the island, will be discussed during the meeting.