The Co-Op taxi company has been threatened with fines of up to $1,400 per day if it operates without a licence.

The firm is currently suspended from doing business under a ruling by the Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board.

Sources said it was handed a formal letter telling it to cease operating during a meeting with PSVLB bosses yesterday.revealed on August 16 that Co-Op had been suspended. The company later said this was because it did not have the requisite 50 taxis required by law ? not because it did not have a fully-operating Global Positioning System, as had been originally thought.

Transport Control Department chairman Randy Brangman said on Tuesday that the Co-Op had continued to operate despite having its licence suspended. A meeting to decide its future licence was set to be held yesterday.

In response to questions about the outcome of the meeting, Mr. Brangman issued a statement through the Department of Communication and Information that did not make reference to what had happened.

After explaining that the board was empowered to deal with breaches of the Motor Car Act 1951, he said: ?It is my hope that Co-Op will respect the law and cease operating. However, if they continue to operate in breach of this law, the board may take action against them. This could result of fines of up to $1,400 for every day during which Co-Op are not in compliance with this same Act.?

He could not be reached for any further comment. No-one answered the telephone at the Co-Op taxi office yesterday and company president Alaine Mouchette did not respond to messages.