Taxi drivers signing up for a high-tech dispatch service could save on fuel wasted hunting for jobs, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said yesterday.

He said cabbies should view the central dispatching service, which will cost between $900 and $2,000 per vehicle, as a business investment.

The system, which will be run by the Bermuda Industrial Union, is to be explained to cabbies attending a meeting at BIU HQ tonight.

A global position system fitted in each vehicle will mean the controller will know which cab is nearest to a job.

Dr. Brown said everybody could get a share of the new scheme and he said the BIU influence in the new dispatch system had been overplayed.

Dr. Brown said: "The union was asked to collect the data, examine the system, convene the potential shareholders. Some people have viewed this as a union business.

"It's not, the union happens to be the source of information, the convener if you will, taking the lead. Someone had to do it.

"The Government could have said we will open another department at TCD and the Government will own and operate this system and you owners and operators will toe the line.

"But we say it's time for economic empowerment. It's time drivers and owners in Bermuda, who have invested a lot of time and energy in their business, should be able to invest in a business after they have stopped working.

"This is an opportunity to form a business, the type of business Bermudians have frequently said we have been excluded from.

"Here's the opportunity. When there's an opportunity many people say they are frightened.'' Union president Derrick Burgess was asked about concerns about its taxi co-op running the system when it was already in arrears.

He said: "It's been a criticism but one we can overcome because we can bring all the expertise together.

"What has happened for years is that there have been four different operators and the stability hasn't been great. We can bring stability to it.'' Dr. Brown continued: "In the present system taxi drivers have to hunt for the work. This system allows the work to find the driver.

"So much of the fuel used in hunting for the work will be saved.

"When radios were first introduced operators had to make an investment. But it's 2001 and anyone in business knows you have to invest in your business.

"It's a small investment compared to what the benefits will be.'' However, the Minister hinted that subsidies might be available for drivers to pay for the system at a later stage.

"We have talked with the union about possibilities but I have held back from going to the Finance Minister with any special request until the umbrella is constructed.

"Once the organisation gets off the ground I am prepared to look at that.

"But I don't think $900 or $2,000 in a taxi in Bermuda which is probably worth upwards of $100,000 is an outrageously large sum.'' He said the union had been chosen to operate the system because of its stability and that the Government was used to working in partnership with the BIU.

"At least they have been around for more than a year or two with respect to stability in the business.

"They have experience in operating a dispatch system through the coop.'' "Putting out a tender in the taxi industry might have been a waste of time in that we already know who the players are.

"I do understand some of the dispatch services want to know why they haven't been selected. That argument could go on and on.

"They have the opportunity to be shareholders. Somebody had to convene it and take a step forward. We were waiting about a year for that process and now we are switching gears and moving forward.'' Asked what would happen if people ignored the initiative Dr. Brown said he hadn't thought about that.

He said: "I am taking a positive approach. When owners and operators see the benefits -- it works in Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, it can work in Bermuda.

"This is not strictly a tourist initiative. Bermudians deserve to have good efficient transport.

"The overwhelming majority, I believe, will support this initiative. If not now then later.'' He denied the global positioning system was a big brother move to track down idle cabs flouting laws on minimum usage.

"If we find out through better distribution of taxis the policy of requiring 16 hours is not necessary the ministry is open to reducing that.

"If we find anyone is in constant violation of our policy we would want to have them explain why.'' Dr. Brown said bringing together the divided taxi industry was not an easy task. "I promised the Premier and my colleagues that I would not run from the taxi industry. We are looking for superior service.

"We claim we cater to the high-end visitor. Bermudians themselves expect a high level of service and we intend to see to it that that service is developed and delivered.'' Last night, president of Radio Cabs, Edward Darrell, said he was still in the dark about what the proposals actually meant.

He said: "I am trying to speak with the minister because none of this is in writing.

"It's all whatever, whatever, whatever -- a talk show type of thing.'' "We will be making a statement after the meeting.'' Dr. Ewart Brown