Government could be on a collision course with taxi drivers after re-tabling the controversial bill making global positioning system mandatory in cabs.

The bill is identical to the 2004 bill which was rejected by the Senate.

This time around the Senate can only delay the bill by a month before it goes to the Governor to sign into law.

Bermuda Taxi Association president Michael Ray said he was disappointed but not surprised by the move.

He told the association would be consulting with lawyers and assessing options.

Asked if strike action was on the cards he said: ?It?s too early to tell.?

He said drivers would meet before the bill went to Parliament but until then they would carry on working as normal.

Last June drivers went on strike over the issue until the Senate blocked the bill ? in a repeat of the 2002 vote.

For years passengers have been complaining about waiting too long for cabs, cabs not turning up as promised and cars ignoring certain areas of the Island to concentrate on Hamilton.

With the GPS system the nearest cab is assigned to the job, cutting down on waiting time and the distance the cab has to travel to get the job.

However drivers have complained about the cost of installing the system which could be around $1,400 per cab.

Mr. Ray said drivers were against making GPS mandatory.

?We believe it should be optional ? if it as good as Government says it is members will have it because they will see all the extra work they might be getting.?

Last July Radio Cabs ? Bermuda?s largest taxi firm with 480 vehicles ? promised to install a computerised dispatching by investing around $35,000 on the system which will keep callers? details on file.

The system was set to be ready by September 1 last year however Radio Cabs boss Ed Darrell said he was not able to press ahead with the plan because he could not bring in the new technology until legislation was in place allowing it.

Asked about the revived GPS bill he said: ?The Minister has to do what he has to do.?

The GPS bill will come before the House on July 8 and could become law before the month is out.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown said Government had lived up to its promise to push ahead with the bill made last year when it had been rejected.

He said: ?I think there have been a number of significant developments since that time.?

Dr. Brown said the BTA had been given approval for a GPS-ready dispatching system.

?I think we are well on our way hopefully we will get it done and take the next step towards modernising our dispatching system.?