Premier Ewart Brown has threatened to issue 100 temporary taxi permits due to poor service during this year's Newport to Bermuda sailing event.

Dr. Brown said the bi-annual race, which sees hundreds of wealthy sailors and their families visit the Island, generates more revenue for Bermuda than any other tourism event.

He called an urgent meeting yesterday afternoon at the Cabinet Office with representatives of the two Taxi Dispatching Companies to deal with the issue. He described the meeting as "productive and fruitful",

"It provided an opportunity to outline the criticism and complaints that have been received regarding the level of service provided by the taxi industry particularly, as it relates to the people involved in the Newport-Bermuda Race," he said. "This event generates more revenue for Bermuda than any other tourism event we host and we must ensure that the people who are drawn to Bermuda by this exciting race are given ample reason to return to our shores."

The Premier added: "As the Minister responsible for Tourism and Transport I shall take whatever steps are necessary to provide transportation for Bermudians and visitors to Bermuda.

"If that means authorising 100 temporary additional taxis to the existing pool, than that is what we shall do. Those taxi drivers who tend to park their vehicles for most of the day should consider this a warning."

The owners of the two companies could not be reached for comment last night.

It is not the first time the taxi industry has been reprimanded by the Government. Last year, after the Cup Match holiday, Acting Transport Minister Derrick Burgess said it was "not reasonable" for cabs to stay home on public holidays. He said an efficient taxi service year round is crucial to Bermuda's success as a tourism destination.

Shortly after Junior Transport Minister Marc Bean said it was unacceptable that 316 passengers were stranded at the L.F. Wade International Airport for up to an hour-and-a-half during the Remembrance Day holiday.

And the Premier has waged a long battle to get GPS equipment, which monitors the amount of time a cab is on the road, for years. One company, Radio Cabs, has until the end of this month to ensure all its drivers are compliant or their dispatching licence will be revoked.