With Government reporting some progress on talks with the Bermuda Taxi Operators Association (BTOA) regarding the GPS system, the proposed law which would force dispatchers and taxis to implement the technology may well be debated today.

But Transport Minister Ewart Brown told The Royal Gazette last night that he could not confirm whether the controversial bill will be taken up today.

"We're waiting on some last minute strategy - I won't know until tomorrow," Dr. Brown said.

He said there had been "some movement" with ongoing talks with the BTOA, which opposes the proposals.

The BTOA had revised their original counter-proposal and mentioned acceptance of a computerised system for the first time, he explained.

But the association had not specifically endorsed GPS.

"But what it means is we are now getting buy-in to a computerised system. The difference is radio is the centerpiece (of the BTOA proposals) and with the Government, GPS is the centrepiece."

Government has already made some compromises the latest of which was to offer a form of subsidy for taxi owners to purchase the technology.

While that was rejected by the BTOA, Dr. Brown said that it would still be available for those taxi drivers who wanted it.

"Ultimately creative minds would prevail as well as anyone who wants to take capitalise on an interest free loan," the Minister said.

"I certainly would want it for my business."

Meanwhile, Government has detailed its side of the GPS debate in a full page advert in today's paper in an effort to clear up any misconceptions.

The ad states that the system would address problems of poor service a major cause of which is a lack of communication between the taxi drivers and the dispatchers. GPS would automatically assign jobs to the taxi nearest to the customer, eliminating preferential treatment and stealing of jobs, the ad states.

Further the system will improve driver safety with an alarm device which sends a message to the dispatching company and all other drivers subscribed to that service.

Frequent customers can also get special service by communicating directly to the service using the keypad on their telephones.

And, says Government, the system will improve the collection of data on the taxi industry.

If the bill is debated today, it will be the only major piece of legislation taken up in the House.