drive for the disabled.

The Motor Car Amendment (No. 2) Act 1993 aims to exempt certain organisations for the handicapped from the cost of a $65 licence for drivers. It will also dispense with duty on vehicles being imported into the Island.

But Opposition senators do not believe the act goes far enough and have asked for a clause to be added allowing organisations to charge for transport.

There are presently 16 buses serving the disabled in Bermuda operating from their homes and from disabled centres like Hope Homes and Summerhaven.

Sen. Ira Philip (PLP) asked: "Will consideration be given to bringing in reasonable charges for services provided by these organisations, particularly with tourists who come here and need to avail themselves of facilities which organisations like Hope Homes and Summerhaven have.'' His colleague Sen. Trevor Woolridge added: "It's important to note that Hope Homes and Summerhaven have volunteer drivers who drive vehicles to the airport to pick up disabled visitors to the Island.

"Consideration should be given to a fee or donation to help alleviate costs of maintenance. Maybe the part-time employment of an individual would remove difficulties in keeping volunteers.'' Government Senate Leader the Hon. Michael Winfield said Government donates millions of dollars a year to charities.

He said Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall is speaking to a number of handicapped organisations looking at the best ways of providing transportation.

Sen. Norma Astwood (Ind) called for a survey to find the real needs of the disabled.

Opposition Senate Leader Sen. Alex Scott said: "I think Government finds itself in a difficult position. It is playing catch up in this matter of facilities for the disabled in the community.

"We should not handicap these organisations by not allowing them to charge.

These organisations need funds now.'' Sen. Wendell Hollis (UBP) said if organisations wished to charge for transport they could make an application to Government.

Sen. Gordon said: "We have around 16 buses dealing specifically with the disabled. The problem is that handicapped people have difficulty getting to the bus stops, so buses have to go to their homes.

"We are trying to incorporate this into the system allowing a merging of these systems.'' She said that physically handicapped organisations were meeting with the Ministers of Community, Affairs and Transport to look at possible schemes.

"The idea of the act is to encourage more volunteers to go out and get these people. By removing the $65 charge we will have more people out there driving,'' she added.