More than 100 angry taxi drivers stormed out of a meeting last night during which Government confirmed plans to run a $10-a-head ferry between St.

George's and Dockyard this summer.

The service was greeted with cries of protest from the cabbies. They felt the Wednesday-only service would be "one more way'' Government was directly competing with them for fares.

They were equally angered they were not consulted before it was put in place.

But Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess said the service was a result of Government realising an obvious "glitch'' in expected visitor numbers in St. George's due to the new ship, and available ground transportation.

"It is only fair that if you invite people to your country, you make sure they can get around reasonably,'' Mr. Burgess said.

He pointed out Government consulted with the Taxi Advisory Committee -- which included taxi operators -- on industry matters.

Asking for their "cooperation'' in seeing visitors get a prompt response for a taxi, Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge told them the industry was going to be "stretched''.

He recalled a time -- during the recession when a ship he was on board arrived in St. George's and only three taxis were there to greet it.

But a cab driver retorted she often had to wait hours before getting any fares off the Meridian in Dockyard. Meanwhile, public buses left the West End "filled-up like sardines in a can''.

Mr. Burgess and Mr. Woolridge asked the drivers to the meeting at Pembroke Sunday School to ensure they were geared up for what is expected to be a "bumper season'', especially with the arrival of the new St. George's-only liner.

However, they spent most of the two-hour meeting fending off criticism of the new East to West End ferry service.

Tourism officials believed it was "going to be the season of a lifetime'', Mr. Burgess said.

The ferry would make two trips down and two back on a trial basis each Wednesday, he said.

If there was no demand for it, which he doubted, it would be axed.

But one driver demanded: "Why not hold off and see if we can accommodate the guests first. If and when we can't deal with the numbers then come back with your plan. Because the way I see it, Wednesday in St. George's is going to be one more slow day for us.'' Mr. Burgess shot back: "Because we have recognised the need for the service... We cannot back down if the need exists.'' Another disgruntled driver said the struggling industry needed the infusion of business. There were "far too many taxis and far too many seats out there'', he said.

But Government was "cutting off'' the potential business before it arrived.

He said: "It's an injustice to our industry,'' A third cabby said: "We are not treated with respect, or as ambassadors. You don't talk to us before making laws.'' Another driver added: "I see the taxi industry going the same way as the fishing industry -- they are not working right now.'' However, he said he agreed with a comment by Mr. Woolridge that drivers needed to unite and "get more organised''.

The meeting came to an end shortly after Mr. Burgess admitted the cruise line bringing the St. George's ship to Bermuda had already been told of the Wednesday ferry service.

That information confirmed Government would not back down over the issue, the drivers said.