A hurriedly convened meeting for taxi drivers saw more than 200 turn out at the Bermuda Cathedral Hall last night.

While dissenters mingled outside and raised voices could be distinctly heard inside, afterward organisers were upbeat after they would get the ear of Transport Minister Ewart Brown.

The meeting pre-empts one Dr. Brown plans for January 18 where he will detail plans for a central dispatch service for all taxis.

It comes on the heels of confirmation from Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess that the union will finance and operate the project so that it is operating "sooner rather than later''.

On Sunday Mr. Burgess said the union will be assuming the greatest risk with the venture but eventually the privately owned dispatching companies will take over.

Meeting organiser Edward Darrell said last night that it was called so that taxi owners and drivers could "express their opinions''.

"Their concerns were that we should be told certain things and they are interested in knowing how they're going to be implemented,'' Mr. Darrell said.

"We want to know this from the Minister himself.

"We're looking forward to the Minister's reply on the issues concerning the taxi industry,'' he added. "The hall was packed with taxi drivers.

"The major concern was the fact that they are being told in the newspaper there would be a central dispatching service forced upon them,'' he explained.

"That's the general consensus. What they want to know is why don't we have a choice?'' Co-organiser Rupert Holdipp Sr. agreed that drivers were concerned that they would have the new central dispatching service decreed from the Ministry.

"What is democracy?'' he asked. "They have no problem with the Minister or Government opening up another dispatching service. But they do have a problem being forced.

"We are looking at the next step,'' Mr. Holdipp continued. "The drivers were pleased the companies are coming together on this and they are bringing it to their attention.'' Mr. Holdipp characterised the meeting as an "overwhelming success'' and added: "My question is have they looked at the economics of it to spend $1.2 million when the tourism industry is not making it? " How is it going to impact on taxi drivers when most of them own their own cars,'' Mr. Holdipp concluded. "Being realistic, it's like chasing a dream. A pot full of gold at the end of a rainbow. Perhaps the Minister can explain that.'' Taxi driver Kimmie Mello, in a Letter to the Editor dated December 14 said the Island has the world's best taxi service and highlighted the role of drivers needing to make ends meet.

Dispatch system Saying the majority of taxi users are "quite satisfied with the service they receive, even if they have to wait once in a while'', Mr. Mello also suggested that all cars should have radios and for the current dispatch services to be used.

"One way of providing a better service to an already good working service is to use the dispatch companies you already have and require that everyone has a radio,'' he wrote.

"This way you will always have a taxi within radio contact,'' Mr. Mello explained, adding that taxi owners have a right to operate their businesses as they see fit.

"It is going to be difficult to have all taxis under one umbrella,'' he added. "Not everyone wants to join such a company. They should not be forced to join.'' He also explained that delays in getting a taxi were not as serious as the public perception may be, highlighting such issues as waiting for fares and suggesting that "this is not a microwave world'' meaning everything is available instantly.