the needs of their industry.

Yesterday Transport Minister Wayne Furbert announced a Special Commission to explore issues surrounding the taxi industry, including fare increases.

But Joe Brown, secretary of the Bermuda Taxi Federation, said drivers wanted round-the-table negotiations with Government.

And he blasted the make-up of the new Commission -- which does not include representatives from the taxi industry.

"They are looking at our industry, but no-one from our industry is on the Commission. That is absurd,'' said Mr. Brown.

Earlier this year Government withdrew legislation increasing taxi fares after widespread opposition from drivers who threatened strike action.

As a result Mr. Furbert said he would establish a Commission to look at the industry's future.

Set up yesterday, the Commission will be chaired by former Premier Sir John Sharpe and will be helped by the Transport Control Department, the Public Transportation Board, the Ministries of Finance, Tourism and Marine Services.

It will examine issues including -- the cost of operating a taxi, the size of taxis, the rate of duty on parts and the viability of fuel rebates.

In addition it will look at taxi fare increases, zone fares, shared ride taxis, the viability of taxis operating as mini-buses during restricted hours and how and when future fare increases should be addressed.

Mr. Furbert said people involved in the taxi industry will be invited to make written or oral submissions to the Commission.

He added that he hoped its report will be before the House of Assembly before the Christmas recess.

"The Commission will be asked to review initiatives regarding pricing, marketing, fuel rebates, operational costs and special services which will assist in developing future strategies to expand and strengthen the services provided and enhance taxi revenues received by owners and operaters,'' added the Minister.

However Mr. Brown said when the industry was in dispute with Government, they asked for a negotiating committee to be set up.

He added he was disappointed that the taxi industry has not been told about the new Commission and that it could be next year before any decision is taken.

"The Minister agreed to withdraw legislation and set up a committee to negotiate with the Federation over fare prices.

"It is possible we will boycott this Commission. We want to sit down and negotiate across the board,'' said Mr. Brown.

Yesterday in a letter to The Royal Gazette part-time taxi driver Antwan Albuoy said the root cause of taxi woes was industry inefficiency.

He said recently he picked up a couple who had been waiting 90 minutes and that on the same day dispatchers continually called for taxis at St. George's, the airport, the Hamilton Princess and Sonesta Beach hotels.

Mr. Albuoy also said the number of flights arriving within a short time at the airport, often when one luggage conveyor belt was broken, meant chaos.

More conveyor belts would improve the flow of passengers, he said, meaning there would not be one rush emptying the airport of taxis.

"By law taxi drivers are required to be on the road for 16 hours per day. The majority of drivers appear to be over the age of 50. They may not have the energy or the desire to spend that amount of time on the road every day,'' said Mr. Albuoy.

"There are residents who have licences to drive taxis and don't have a job.

Utilise that pool of workers.''