Taxis: Six Month GPS Grace Period
[Updated with video] Transport Minister Derrick Burgess today [Jan. 23] announced a six-month grace period for Bermuda’s taxi drivers to have any faulty Global Positioning Systems in their vehicles repaired.
Mr. Burgess said the move had been taken because “numerous” drivers had approached the Ministry saying they cannot currently afford to have their GPS equipment repaired in time for the January relicensing deadline.
“We have received numerous visits and pleas from taxi owners who have purchased systems that were not operational and find it an extreme burden to secure enough finances to purchase another device,” he said. “As we remain in this economic downturn, the Ministry of Transport is sensitive to the plight of those who have paid out a considerable amount of money only to find out that the product was faulty.
“As a result, the Ministry of Transport will extend a six months grace period to all taxi operators who have not had their licence renewed as a result of a defective GPS. Having said that let me reiterate, that all of these affected operators must work to find solutions to this dilemma.”
The Minister’s full statement appears below:
Good morning everyone and thank you for being here
November to January is the time that taxi owners get their vehicles relicenced. It is my understanding that there are some who maintained their licence status in the past despite the fact that they did not have a working GPS. In the last few weeks some taxi operators have failed the process to retain their licence due to a faulty GPS.
We have received numerous visits and pleas from taxi owners who have purchased systems that were not operational and find it an extreme burden to secure enough finances to purchase another device. As we remain in this economic downturn, the Ministry of Transport is sensitive to the plight of those who have paid out a considerable amount of money only to find out that the product was faulty.
As a result, the Ministry of Transport will extend a six months grace period to all taxi operators who have not had their licence renewed as a result of a defective GPS. Having said that let me reiterate, that all of these affected operators must work to find solutions to this dilemma.
After the six months grace period, we will be monitoring the equipment in taxis attentively. Please be reminded that according to the Motor Car Act 1951, there is quite a hefty penalty for those who are non-compliant.
I understand that my predecessor gave allowances in the past. I have implemented a six months grace period so that individual taxi operators can get their GPS systems and Mobile Data Terminals in good working order. My advice to all taxi operators who are non-complaint is that they use this grace period to diligently resolve their GPS issues.
We have been sympathetic to the plight and encourage all owners to take this opportunity to do the right thing and this means that they will ensure that they have a working GPS and Mobile Data Terminal within the six month period.
Under the Motor Car Act, all vehicles must be licenced for a twelve month period; however, due to the current economic climate, I am using my authority under the Act to grant permission for motor taxis to be licenced for six month periods. This means that they will now be in a position to license their motor taxis twice per year.
Just call the damn election…
Please.
“taxi owners who have purchased systems that were not operational and find it an extreme burden to secure enough finances to purchase another device”
Are you kidding me…who buys a system that is not operational…
I guess Brother Derek needs their vote…
An understanding politician! Good work Papi!
P.S. You can’t please everyone
Vote getting without a doubt… he must think the voters are asleep. And while I am at it imagine that long letter in the RG penned by a former Prison Office suggesting that prisoners should be paying for their own clothing as cost cutting in the Prison Service. And the reply on the same day by the Prison Commissioner Mr Eddie Lamb all on the same day… extraordinary I think!!!
What’s so extraordinary about that? The RG forwarded the letter to the Prison Commission for a comment so that the newspaper could carry a front page story. They do it all the time. Pay attention!!
Doesn’t the Consumer Affairs Bureau and Sale of Goods Act cover the sale of goods that are “not operational”?
Too bad that doesn’t cover that million dollar X-ray machine on the docks. Hows that working out?
Don’t tell me the Friends & Family GPS partner is refusing to return the money?
I smell an election in the air!! Hopefully the taxi drivers will help drive the PLP right out of Govt.
No matter how bad the PLP treat taxi drivers they will still vote PLP.
They are a perfect match for the PLP. All they do is talk. Talk, talk, talk.
600 taxi drivers with 600 opinions.
Very few of them have any interest in making the GPS dispatching system work, let alone giving customer service.
It’s hard for any business right now , all the business’ that I know of are trying to cut cost where they can and Taxi Owners are been force to spend money that they are not making .( My wife has to take a week with out pay this year). I know of alot of Taxi Owners that get by on their apartment rents . How about them that don’t have another means of income to support them and their family and are trying to pay off their taxi loan , they still will not have any money in six months , the season will not pick up until May and drivers will already be in a financial hole , why can’t taxi people save money where they can like any other business . (Companies cut people to save money , so taxi owners should be able to cut Gps to save money .) Where is the common sense ? The law should be changed PLP.
Is this the system they were told to buy……
If it doesn’t do what it was advertised to do….. It should be replaced free of charge….
Now you know…. You can tell there’s an election in the air. The minister has given taxi operators a six month grace period… That takes you into July! Count on the election being called for June… Don’t be fooled guys!!!!!
@ Terry and @ Redman
I agree with both of you and I hope the rest of Bda feels like this,, these idiots need to be voted out. And I voted for them in the last election. But I am now a Michael. D supporter.
Cant believe these guys are even talking gps when it is a damn crime wave going on.
Where is Ewart now?? The one everyone voted for. Michael .D was talking way before Ewart was on the scene and he is still talking trying to get voted in when he really doesnt have to. But where is Ewart ,he left this country in a damn mess. But at least Bermudians know what we have to do in the next election we have all learned a valuable lesson, and now we can vote in the right people this time.
So GPS are not needed at all then, and Taxi Drivers were being ripped off. By the PLP. Either they are needed or not. If there is an issue of financing, Then govt should finance loans for GPS purchase, repairs, with the taxi as collateral, ao that all taxis are in compliance with the laws the PLP put in place. Either abide by your rules PLP or admit that you screwed the Taxi drivers over.
Good day all, my name is Raymond L. Robinson and I am president of BTA (Dispatching) Ltd. We are an owner operated company. Taxi drivers come and join a company that has proven over the last six years that we have a system that works, that is compliant with the law and is easy to use. Give us a call at 441-296-2121 and we will work out a payment plan for you so that it would not impact your daily operations. Or if you want any information visit our office at the airport and Nicki will be glad to assist you. Or you can call me 441-337-1775 and I will make sure you receive the proper information. BTA (Dispatching) Ltd. Moving Bermuda forward with the only compliant Digital Dispatching System on the island. Fellow drivers I know we can do it, I believe in you and let’s prove them wrong!
Election, election, election…stay tuned….coming soon!
Taxi drivers should be ashamed to know they are being exploited and wooed by the PLP …..again.
With all the grief about GPS over the past years you all should see right through this scam.
Oh, and by the way, his time I want a free ride to the polling station please.
There are only a few drivers who still support the plp. 99% of the drivers are so pissed off now, the plp doesn’t stand a chance! This is the worst off-season EVER for taxis! And right now most drivers are not making a living wage. In fact… far below a living wage! Many will lose their cars. Sad in’it? When most of this could have been prevented had the Brown regime done the right thing from the get go.
We need a CHANGE!
Can we ask from whom the “non operational” systems were purchased. Why are the “non operational” and why can’t the taxi drivers get their money back from the vendor that sold them these “non operational” systems.
I don’t think there’s anything controversial in my questions and I think we all know the answers anyway.
By the way, how is that big fancy Xray machine working out on the docks? Is that “operational” yet? How much did the ‘government’ spend for that on our behalf?
The “non operational” system belonged to Radio Cabs… who have gone out of business.
Weren’t they supposed to be in by June 2010 – 18 months ago? Anyone who didn’t have one at that point should of been fined. There shouldn’t be more than a handful of taxis with faulty devices. They should have someone locally to fix them, plus as they are mandatory, the repair shop should have loaners.
@paget boy if you want a free ride to the polling station and your voting OBA – call me ! You got it !
As often happens I suspect the full story is not being told.
I understand the BTA equipment is in the vast majority of taxis. It WORKS. Some taxi drivers bought off the shelf equipment which is not compatible with the sytem they thought it would work on trying to save a few $$. Whose fault is that?
In general taxi drivers have been resisting GPS dispatching from day one. Efficient use of taxis is not a primary interest to them. They don’t want to be tracked, especially when their taxi is sitting at the second job or someplace else not available.
Taxi drivers pay less per year to use the taxpayer funded roads than the cost to license a B class car. Dirt cheap.
They grumble that a permit costs up to $150,000. Who sets that price? Not Government. The fools who pay that much for a business that supposedly is not profitable set that price. Max that the vehicle is worth is less thasn half that price.
Real estate values have fallen. Rents have fallen. Businesses are going bankrupt, worthless yet the value of a taxi keeps going up. Somebody explain please.
Get your GPS units current. No, you don’t deserve a grace period. That is just a vote buying election ploy.
Triangle Drifter you are so right, BTA have 402 of the 598 taxis and counting. I can tell you that BTA (Dispatching) is a company everybody can be proud of.
“Taxi drivers pay less per year to use the taxpayer funded roads than the cost to license a B class car.”
Bull. Drivers pay more tax than anyone as a percentage of gross. As well as Payroll Tax, the $100,000 initial government licensing fee for the “Medallion,” plus the yearly licensing fees… then add up the government tax from $80 to $100 worth of gas/diesel PER DAY that taxis use!
Taxi Drivers pay more than their fair share of tax!
Blah blah blah…..You all are so lame you will blast Government for anything. All you do is adapt your rhetoric to the story. 6 month grace period; “oh their just trying to get votes”. If the title read; ‘Taxi drivers denied license renewal due to noncompliance with GPS’, you would be saying that “Government doesn’t care about the taxi drivers struggling during these times”, and claiming that government are bullying them. You know it and I know it. You swarm to any story like flies on crap.
Obviously Government feels that this 6 month period is needed in order to give the drivers time to afford to comply. These are hard times, government recognizes that. Spin it how you will.
OBA= Obstructing Bermudas Advancement smh
Check again there Starman. Taxi annual registration is $302.95.http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=253&&PageID=477&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true Class B private car is $386.90, considerably more than a taxi. Every employed person pays payroll tax unless the payroll is very very small. What medallion fee? You can’t wander down to TCD & buy yourself a permit. If business is so bad how in the world can a taxi burn up $80-$100 worth of fuel. Are the drivers so dumb that they are driving around empty all day? Park in a strategic spot & turn the GPB ON.
There is just so much smoke taxi drivers can blow in the publics faces. There comes a time when they have had enough of it & have very little sympathy for taxi drivers anymore.