I echo the Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association’s call for transparency surrounding the pilot ridesharing programme in Bermuda. The reason we are even aware that Ridesharing Legislation was being brought forward is due to my previous Parliamentary Questions in the House of Assembly.
Prior to that, the Government was reluctant to share any updates on the particular pledge. This is not the way to engage in meaningful consultation. The two major stakeholders to be affected by this are the customers and the taxi industry, both of whom have very little information on the proposed changes to bring ridesharing into existence.
Whether you are for or against this change, transparency is imperative. One major issue I want to reinforce that the BTOA raised was the question of insurance. I questioned the Minister on whether insurers were on board for these legislative changes and the Minister did not give a direct answer.
This is a crucial part of this potential industry. Will drivers be required to obtain supplemental or different insurance as a registered transport provider? Will they have to wait for the legislation to be tabled? If we want the ridesharing industry to successfully enhance our transportation system, why leave everyone in the dark?
The other big issue is the question of enforcement. The Transport Control Department has struggled to police the current industry. How will they manage with additional operators on the road, with a new two-tiered licensing set up between the taxi operators and rideshare drivers? Will ride share drivers be operating with different operating standards to those of taxi drivers?
Are all taxis currently on the road for the required 16 hours which are currently mandated by law? We know the answer. Why not work on properly regulating the current system first before introducing something completely new. There is no guarantee, it will be properly regulated based on our current performance.
I understand that the public’s opinion on taxis is debatable but proper process is not. The members of the Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association have extended theirs hands to collaborate on modernising the transport industry.
I urge the Minister to accept their offer to ensure an outcome that is best for maintaining many Bermudians’ way of earning a living and improving the customer’s experience.
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