Bermuda's legislators head to the House of Assembly today for what is expected to be a marathon and spirited debate on the controversial bill on digital dispatching technology for the taxi industry.

It will be the second time around for the parliamentarians - the measures which would force taxi operators to have the technology installed in their cabs was first considered in June, 2002, and passed despite over the objections of the Opposition and ruling party whip Ottiwell Simmons.

But it was rejected by the Senate which meant the bill could not be taken up again for at least another year.

The Senate could reject the bill again, if passed by the House today, because the Constitution provides that the bill could only avoid a Senate rejection a second time if it had been put through the House in two successive sessions.

Yesterday, Mr. Simmons would not reveal whether his stance had changed since the 2002 vote.

He had formally abstained from the vote - which Government won 16-10 - saying he opposed forcing the system on drivers.

“Tonight, it is most regrettable that I have to say that my convictions are with the taxi drivers and I will abstain from voting one way or the other,” he told MPs.

“It is no indication that I am in any way against the principles of the Progressive Labour Party, but we have democratic rights. I apologise to all my colleagues in the PLP that I have come to this position.”

Then ruling party backbencher, now Senator, Reginald Burrows also abstained and was not present in the chamber for the vote.

“One of the most interesting parts of the debate is whether the Progressive Labour Party holds ranks,” said Mr. Barritt yesterday.

A compromise from Transport Minister Ewart Brown to delay the grace period for installing the system - from one year to 18 months - failed to stop the rebellion from his colleagues.

As with the last time around, today's bill would make it an offence if a taxi is not equipped with a mobile data terminal, a global positioning device and an alarm, in addition to the two-way radio set.

“I'm voting with my Government, of course,” said backbencher Wayne Perinchief.

“It's been over a year since the legislation got the hoist by the Senate and the public is waiting with bated breath for Government to do something decisive and get these taxis back to work.

Mr. Perinchief drives for Bermuda Hosts and is chairman of the Airport Advisory Committee. “I see first hand the need for a well regulated taxi service,” he said.

Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons confirmed that his party would be voting against the bill.

“We've consistently felt this is not the right approach,” he said.

The UBP had argued in 2002 that the system should not be mandatory if it would improve business and claimed that placing a monitor in a cab could be dangerous as drivers' attention would be split.

Dr. Brown has stressed that response times will be improved and that the alarm system would make life on the roads safer for drivers, and that the Transport Control Department would be better able to monitor performance of the industry.