Minister: Taxi Authority To Be Created
Transport Minister Terry Lister this morning [Feb. 10] announced the formation of a new committee to review all aspects of Bermuda’s taxi industry preparatory to the creation of a Taxi Authority which will supervise its affairs.
The Taxi Authority Review Committee — which will include taxi industry representatives, politicians and members of the island’s hospitality industry — has been charged with addressing long-outstanding issues in the industry “once and for all” by the Transport Minister.
“This committee has been tasked with preparing the framework for establishing a Taxi Authority,” said Mr. Lister. “It is intended that this Authority would assume sole responsibility for the taxi industry that currently falls under the Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board. In short – we want the Taxi industry to assume responsibility for themselves.
The committee’s mandate will consider the scope of the Taxi Authority; review the benefits of establishing the Authority, and; determine how the Authority would function differently from the current Board.
Mr. Lister said the committee has been given a deadline of April 30 to report back to the Transport Ministry and he expects its recommendations to be implemented soon afterwards.
“Among other things, the committee will look at legislation and policy, dispatch companies, insurance issues and so on,” said the Minister. “Once the committee’s work is done, and the required changes put in place, I hope not to revisit this subject for many, many years.
”I realize at times the debate will be heated, to say the least. But we need to rise above personal issues and do what is right for the greater good.”
The Minister’s statement appears in full below:
It’s no secret that over the years the Ministry of Transport has had its challenges with the taxi industry.
However, no challenge is insurmountable.
Since being appointed Minister of Transport I have met with all groups concerned with the Taxi industry. Some I have met with twice and even further meetings are planned.
However, in order to move real reform forward, and with the agreement of Cabinet, I have decided to appoint a Taxi Authority Review Committee to address the issues within the industry once and for all.
This Committee has been tasked with preparing the framework for establishing a Taxi Authority. It is intended that this Authority would assume sole responsibility for the taxi industry that currently falls under the Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board. In short – we want the Taxi industry to assume responsibility for themselves.
The Committee’s mandate will be to:
1. Consider the scope of the Taxi Authority
2. Review the benefits of establishing the Authority, and
3. Determine how the Authority would function differently from the current Board.
I’m pleased to be joined by Mr. Neville Tyrell who has been appointed Chairman of the Committee.
Other members include MP Lavita Foggo – who is the chair of the Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board, Mr. Clyde Darrell, General Manager, Grotto Bay Hotel, and taxi owners Mr. Owen Darrell, and Mr. Irving Butterfield. Technical support will be provided by the Department of Transport.
Now I know there are going to be those within and outside the industry who will question why this person and not that other person.
Well, that is simply a distraction. This Committee is going to meet with those in the industry – owners and operators, the Hoteliers and of course, the general public.
I have given the Committee an aggressive timetable and expect to have a report on my desk by 5 p.m., April 30th.
The Committee is going to look at every aspect of the industry as well as how overseas jurisdictions manage their fleets.
There is no need to reinvent the wheel. If other countries and municipalities can manage fleets many times larger than ours – then surely we can effectively manage the 600 taxis operating in Bermuda.
Among other things, the Committee will look at legislation and policy, dispatch companies, insurance issues and so on.
Once the Committee’s work is done, and the required changes put in place, I hope not to revisit this subject for many, many years.
I realize at times the debate will be heated, to say the least. But we need to rise above personal issues and do what is right for the greater good.
As the Government continues to enhance the tourism product, it is vital that the Ministry of Transport takes the necessary steps to improve our transportation service offerings and, in particular, the taxi industry.
I am confident that this committee will get the work done in a professional, thorough and timely manner.
The time for endless meetings rehashing the same old, tired arguments is over. As Minister I am determined to take action.
We owe it to our visitors, residents and, most of all, the taxi drivers.
Thank you.
Soooooooooo the good minister made a speech today and didn’t even allude to the fact that there’s a strike going on with the buses? I understand that they’re separate issues, but any acknowledgement from government would be kind of appreciated. Whatever.
Actually, Minister Lister did – the appearance he didn’t is our fault as in hindsight we probably should have mentioned it in this article due to the timing.
We added the Minister’s statement to the Bus Strike post: http://bernews.com/2011/02/updating-on-bus-strike-day-2/
Missed that somehow, thanks Bernews. Sorry for being harsh on the Minister.
UBP, your wish is coming true. A Tourism Authority will next.
The temperature will now go up with all the hot air these talking shops and appeasement boards will create. laughable. 600 people who can’t even unite on the simplest of things now given a forum to vent and feel important. whatever.
Sounds familiar huh Hmmmmm? Feel important after that post I bet…
I like Terry, he’s not perfect, but who is?
In one day, he’s supported the PTB over hte idiot bus drivers, and secondly, he’s taking steps to address the dire taxi situation. You could almost see this as a way of ultimately de-politicising the issues. A good step forward.
Shame his predecessor was too busy linig his pockets to do anything useful.
I keep on hearing about Ministers “lining their pockets” but nobody can tell us how and when they did it. You people really don’t give up do you?
Any thoughts on your thoughtless union disrupting hundreds of Bermudian lives in order to protect an employee who lies, steals and forges documents?
What ‘people’ are you referring to? The white people? I’m black, Bermudian and have lived the struggle and I believe certain Ministers have lined their pockets. That’s what politics is all about. EB did it and didn’t care to hide the fact. Lavern, sorry but you are living in your own clueless black and white world. I hope you never run for a seat, I will never support you.
Hey Laverne – where you go? I want to ask you what power the BIU has over the government? You must know, one foot in either camp, do the BIU know where the bodies are buried? WHo spirited away the cash at Berkeley, TCD and the Court building?
Hey Laverrrrrrneee…..don’t be coy….why did Lister give up on the Bus drivers…come on who leaned on him and why?
It’s alleged that Ewart Brown forced the BHC to purchase his Flatts property above the market rate. That’s lining pockets in anyone’s language.
You people? Too funny…
Nice editing Bernews – but that allegation, as i recall, was actually recorded in court documents. It led to the famous “unethical but not illegal” comment.
THAT IS GREAT NEWS MINSTER PLEASE WORK ON THE BUSES AND STOP THE FREE TRAVEL FOR THE THE KIDS!!!
This ought to be good. A bunch of taxi drivers, who can’t make up their minds, let alone manage anything for themselves, are expected run their own industry. Good luck!
At least they will have some oversight though it will still be like organizing a nursery school class after all have been loaded up with chocolate.
Fair point but, if they can’t come to a solution on their own, then we get expats to drive cabs. The pressure’s on the drivers now..put up or shut up.