The fate of a proposed new taxi Central Dispatch System (CDS) could end up in court after warnings of legal action were issued, said a taxi driver who attended a meeting last night to discuss the new system.

Taxi owners and drivers gathered at the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) headquarters. One driver who wished to remain anonymous said: "The bottom line is that drivers are not willing to pay $2,000 for something they don't want, and which will not put any more money in their pockets.'' Another man who asked not to be identified said that ex-chairman of the Taxi Advisory Committee, Al Brown, had addressed the meeting and said the system would not work, the BIU and Mr. Burgess should not be involved, and threatened that the matter could end up in the courts.

The press was barred from the meeting, which was still in full swing at 9.30 p.m. two hours after starting, but another driver who left early said: "It is a waste of time, they are half cocked, it was a poor presentation with poor audio, and there was no written submission.'' He said there was very little information to explain the new system and questioned why Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown was not at the meeting: "It would have been incumbent and politically correct for him to be there.'' Cabbies not impressed with new Central Dispatch System Shadow Transport Minister, Erwin Adderley, who went to the meeting to learn about the system was asked to leave as he was told it was a closed meeting for taxi owners and operators only.

Mr. Adderley said he was surprised and disappointed at being barred from the meeting and said if he could not learn about the new system, he could not make a comment.

Criticisms were directed at the Transport Minister and one driver said: "Dr.

Brown's remark that he has overwhelming support is totally untrue.'' Cabbies were also frustrated that Government buses were giving guided tours, which they see as direct competition.

They were also frustrated after being told to expect at least 175,000 less visitors this coming year.

One taxi driver said: "(Government) should address these issues before trying to implement this system so that taxi drivers can make some money this year.'' Drivers also questioned how the expected cost of installing the system could be so large; Dr. Brown has said that the system will cost between $900 and $2,000 to install.

The new CDS calls for Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to be installed in the Island's 600 taxis, enabling them to be located and tracked at all times.