More than 70 taxi drivers circled Parliament yesterday in protest at Government plans to introduce a new cab tracking system.

The go-slow disrupted commuting traffic in Hamilton and delayed MPs as they entered the House of Assembly for the morning session.

And further action is threatened by drivers if they are not granted crisis talks with Premier Jennifer Smith.

Taxi drivers are against Government plans to introduce a global positioning system (GPS) in each cab because they say the device, which can pinpoint the position of each cab to within a few feet, is too intrusive.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown believes the system, which will cost drivers around $2,000 to install, will reduce waiting times to customers.

But drivers are calling for laws requiring radio dispatch systems in all cabs to be enforced to boost efficiency.

Bermuda Taxi Owners Association (BTOA) president Gordon Flood said Government had not responded to the protest but he refused to say how long the Premier had to reply.

He said: “We are not putting a time limit on it. We don't have anything planned yet.”

The protest involved convoys of cabs, with lights on and indicators flashing, converging on Hamilton from all points east and west.

However Mr. Flood's promise that drivers would keep speed limits up to the maximum of 35 kph was flouted with some cabs doing 20 kph on major roads and 10 kph in Front Street, causing delay on the roads.

Mr. Flood said: “Some drivers did that but I am 20 cars behind them so I can't do anything about that.

“That was the only part that wasn't totally within the law.”

He added: “Maybe we could have been charged with causing a public nuisance.

“I want to apologise to the taxi-using public for any inconvenience caused and to any members of the public who support us.”

Asked about his attitude to people Asked about his attitude to people who didn't support the action, Mr. Food said: “Car drivers have their own transport.

“We have to disrupt something, someone has to be inconvenienced.”

He said he believed drivers had a cross section of public support and pointed to talk show callers who had backed their stance.

BTOA spokesman Lee Tucker said cab drivers were within their rights to go slow.

He said: “The law says the maximum speed is 35 kph but is doesn't say what the minimum speed is. We are within the law.”

He said Government's plan to grant mini buses the right to take tourist charters was upsetting drivers who were already suffering from the tourism downturn.

He said: “We need all the work we can possibly get. We are in desperate financial straits.”

Mr. Tucker said it was time the rates were reviewed.

He said: “The meter starts at $3.20 but many times the ride finishes at $4.06. We write off the six cents but it all adds up.”

Mr. Tucker claimed yesterday's showing gave the lie to Dr. Brown's claim that there was no solidarity in the taxi industry.

He said: “We are united. It's not just one section of the taxi industry here today.”

Cabbie Dennis Bean said of yesterday's go-slow: “We conducted the same fight for Dr. Brown when he could not get permission to practice here.

“We took a similar protest against the former government. We feel betrayed.”

Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley said there were merits to the GPS system.

But he added: “The question is whether this is right for Bermuda based on the size of the population.”

Mr. Adderley said Dr. Brown had failed to convince taxi drivers the system was useful and worth buying. He said: “Part of a salesman's job is presentational skills.”

And cab driver George Gardner said: “I don't see the benefit for us.

“It won't make us any more money. The two-way radio is the best idea. GPS is a lot of money and it's unnecessary.”