Opposition Proposes Taxi Fuel Rebate Program
Rather than adding an additional 25 percent to taxi fares, the Opposition has suggested the implementation of a Fuel Rebate Program for Taxi Drivers.
Shadow Transport Minister Lawrence Scott said, “Bermudians simply cannot afford yet another OBA driven increase in the cost of, what for many of us, is an essential service. Not while our salaries continue to stagnate or be slashed. Bermudas taxi rates are already considered expensive by both visitors and locals. Adding an additional 25 percent to that will just exacerbate the issue.
“Furthermore, this increase will act as a disincentive for many consumers and will inevitably drive down the demand for taxis from both locals and visitors alike. The OBA promised that they would implement policies that would lead to job creation, contain inflation and price increases while stimulating the economy.
“Their current approach falls way short of fulfilling that promise and in the interest of collaboration, we hope that they will reconsider this scheme.”
“I have spoken to several taxi owner/operators and many are concerned that the OBA’s scheme will be counter productive and in the long run will hurt the industry and Bermuda. From our meetings with taxi owner/operators, we believe that there can be a more balanced and forward thinking solution where all may benefit. We propose the implementation of a Fuel Rebate Program for Taxi Drivers.
“Receipts for fuel purchases would be presented to the Tax Commissioner’s office, verified and a check for the amount due would be presented to the taxi driver. While not an ideal scenario, it does allow drivers to have more money in their pocket and doesn’t force the Bermudian consumer to to take yet another hit in the pocket book. We hope that the OBA will join us and collaborate on a solution that doesn’t negatively affect the consumer.”
I thought this should have been something proposed for some time now. This would have little impact on the consumer, and would benefit the taxi drivers.
The Corporation of Hamilton wasting taxpayers money,as they spend it on trips!
Tax rebates are paid by the Government.
Monies paid out by the Government are procured from the tax paying public.
So adding another expense to the Government’s tab is essentially placing greater burden on the tax payer.
And sorry but the taxi industry isn’t considered an ‘essential service’ by the vast majority Mr. Scott.
Alos, exactly how do you prevent the abuse of such a program. How would the Government ensure that the fuel being subsidised is actually going into the taxis as opposed to private vehicles.
You should really stick to calling the Government silly names in the House. At least you might get a chuckle once in a while.
Are they kidding?
Idiots!
they just got a 25% increase what more do they want the cars come in duty free the cost of fuel is all part of operating your business
next the government will be filling up all other business vehicles
suggestion to government all the taxi that are not operating their vehicles the way they should take back the permits and resell them simple
in this day and age we still have drivers that don’t want to drive black people so they hang out at elbow drive down town then straight back to elbow
It’s not a simple issue. But, placing more burden on public funds is terribly short-sighted, no?
How will such rebate program be administrated and regulated? What is going to stop me from giving my gas receipts to a friend/family to get some money back? This will obviously require the gas stations to incur additional cost to update their systems to reflect tax gas purchase; thus, will this be a forced upgrade or optional.
So many questions and logistically unfeasible.
Fantastic idea. The brilliance expected from the PLP.
Create how many new civil service jobs, funded by taxpayers of course, so that taxi drivers can get yet another break from Government? The OBA is desperately trying to cut civil service jobs, not increase them. Taxis already only pay what amounts to an A class private car license fee to use the roads more than any other class of vehicle. Less than $2 per day to use the roads.
The already drive aimlessly around with cold seats instead of parking at a strategic location waiting for the call to come to them. Make fuel cheaper to do cheaper to do this. Way to go PLP. Lots of thought was put into this one. As usual.
Triangle do you catch a taxi? I’ll answer for you NO! Then shut up and drift away. Do you realize how much a 25% mark up is on taxi fare? The taxi drivers will feel the pinch because less people will be catching cabs with the price increase this is basic economics.
I doubt if you read past the first line of my post. Had you done so you would have seen the the post is loaded with sarcasm.
Yup, the taxis are going to lose. But hey, thats what they have been asking for.
According to the Government’s Energy White Paper 2011, the Government committed itself to introducing minimum fuel efficiency standards for all new taxis as it was reported the average urban cycle fuel efficiency of taxis in Bermuda is 21 miles per US gallon. Additionally it encouraged the voluntary adoption of cost-reducing measures i.e. the procurement of smaller vehicles where possible.
A fuel rebate does not compliment what Government, particularly the PLP Government, has pledged to previously. A fuel surcharge similar to BELCo is more appropriate, and will be subject to change after approval by the Ministry of Finance. A fuel rebate, much like a concession, places a band-aid on the industry; an industry in which market forces should determine the fate of its operators.
A 25% increase is simply ridiculous, and taxi operators will notice customer dissent quickly. The Government, unfortunately, continues to reward inefficiency and lack of innovation.
Typical OBA responses.
I guess most of you don’t care since the majority of the 600+ taxis are owned by BLACK Bermudians, so it has no bearing on your family.
Its funny that you have NO ideas either, other than lets already hit the struggling single mother, who would rather catch a taxi to her door with her small child and bag if groceries in the rain, rather than catch a bus and walk a mile.
Its funny that after Rugby and other party events, you same people are looking for these same taxis, so that you can get home safely, even if you stink of alcohol and night vomit on the ride home.
Its funny that when you walk down Front Street, in your suit n tie, you stand on the corner trying to hail a cab, like you in NYC.
OBA you are a funny bunch
Are you saying the taxi drivers are not happy with the 25% increase? I thought it was their idea?…or what exactly are you trying to say? By your comment the 25% increase is hitting the rich, white, expat – so you should be happy about that given your sentiments – no?
The fuel rebate would hit everyone, so you should be against that.
So advocating for a 25% rise in prices for taxi drivers to benefit is racist?
Reaching deep aren’t you…
It’s not about Black or White. The taxi service is a luxury item. You want to help the single mother? What about offering free day care? What about making it law for businesses to give one year paternity leave? If you’re going to use taxpayer money for anything, use it for the reasons I stated. Paying for taxi’s fuel is a slap in the face for the single mother when she deserves much more.
it must be difficult and frustrating to be such a racist moron
So, for the mother it’s a choice and the luxury choice.
Wow, a bag of groceries probably cost $30 – $50, tax cost $15-$30.
Whoever shops in this manner must have money to throw away.
Do like everyone else does and take your umbrella with you.
Where in Bermuda does this mother live….where in Bermuda is a mile from the nearest bus stop ?
taxi (not tax) !
WHAT in the world does race have to do with this issue?
If there are many taxi drivers who think like you it is no wonder that the industry needs regulation.
It is the ATTITUDE like yours that needs to be removed from the taxi drivers seat. You ARE the problem.
ya just lump all the white people in with the OBA…stfu u clown. go lay down already
So black people are struggling single mothers and white people are drunk and stink of vomit? PLP you are a funny bunch.
An Island wide service stations rebate would most definitely be welcomed. Currently, a select few offer 3% – 5% discount for cabbies, which is received on the pump.
It wouldn’t be that difficult to make the adjustments, as everything is digital / computerized, at present.
Further, regarding comments to the effect of costs to the consumer, that is the nature of Capitalism. Why is it that we continually ‘cry foul’ whenever the average working-class endeavours to earn a living? Should we concede to the fact that only the oligarchs maintain their dominance of the local economy?
The nature of capitalism will mean that the cost, number of cabs operating and profitability of the industry are in line with what consumers are willing to pay. If the cab drivers feel a 25% increase is in their best interest, then let them have it. Let them have a 100% increase for that matter.
A legislated rebate at the pump where the result is all tax payers, even those not using taxis, having to pay for the shortfall sounds like something other than capitalism.
Why should the working man and woman who doesn’t use a taxi, who is struggling to make ends meet have to pay more taxes so that those who can afford to travel by taxi don’t have to pay so much.
You’ve got it backwards Glenn.
So taxis are an “essential service” now?
I guess it would seem like that to the champagne-drinking limo-riding first class airfare PLP party.
The reason the 25% became necessary is because there had been no increase at all for the past 5 years. The PLP kicked the can down the road, as they did with every hard decision. If they had moved it up by 3-4% every year there would have been no need to do it all at once.
And the PLP’s response is, of course, nothing to do with reality. Due to the PLP debt the government can’t afford tax breaks to businesses (i.e. taxi owners) these days. If the taxi owners want to stay competitive they consider making sure they give a service that is worth what it costs. Put on the a/c, turn off the radio, and don’t use the cell phone while driving.
Just send dem bies to d BIU service station to get a discount!
The govt cannot afford to give tax breaks to business? Really suzie? Let time I checked, the OBA is giving away plenty of them in all types of forms. I like the idea, although It should be implemented directly with the service stations. An increase in fares will drive down demand for taxis, which will hurt them even more. So yes, govt will lose some tax revenue, but didn’t minister bob Richards borrow 800million for shortfalls? I think Scott and the PLP are providing a good idea that helps everybody…..except the govt coffers. Give the taxi drivers tax breaks just like the OBA give them to other business.
So another PLP mess to clear up. They did nothing for 7 years, and now it has to be sorted out. And the PLP “suggestion” is do nothing again, and give taxi drivers handouts. What bollocks.
Yes, yes taxis are very essential to the tourism industry. Or did you forget that we’re still in that industry & are fine with having all our eggs in the international business sector alone? Thus giving international business even more power to dictate the Bermudian way of life? You have to remember these are people who have turned their back on their own countries in the name of a buck so it would mean nothing for them to turn their back on us just the same in the name of a buck.
Many years now I have been saying we as a country should be looking more seriously into what other main source of income we can generate. During these conversations over the years a few good ideas have been proposed & I really think now is the time we start to look in that direction.
Ridiculous. Not every part of the tourism industry is an ‘essential service’.
Are beach vendors, souvenir shops, restaurants, tour boats, Crystal caves, and hotels ‘essential services’? No, of course not.
But taxis is a keystone to our tourism product.
That doesn’t mean they should be subsidized. Why should the taxpayer get more and more into debt to subsidize businessmen? They asked for this 25% increase.
Sandy somehow has amenisia? I bet for all the tax breaks big business has Recieved from the OBA, you won’t find one comment against it from the sandys of this world. Oh, btw, sandy supports the tourism authority, which is high govt subsidisation. Sandy bottom, the hypocrite.
I think you should Google subsidi(z)ation. It’s more like privatizing. Anyway, can you name the tax breaks “big business” has received? I know the legislation is in place but I don’t actually know any businesses that have benefited. What would be your comment against it anyway? Aren’t we trying to make things better than the way they were left?
Show me where I’ve ever said anything about the tourism authority.
Not that its relevant.
The problem arises because there were no increases for 7 years. That’s the PLP’s fault.
The taxi drivers were consulted, rightly. They are the businessmen. They should have a say in how their service is priced. They wanted a 25% increase.
Classing this as an essential service is ridiculous. All part of the PLP champagne lifestyle.
Time Shall Tell, if taxis “is” (sic) an essential part of our tourism product, it’s a pity that the PLP didn’t review their rates any time within the past 7 years.
for every one that have negative comments about taxi drivers – there is a great need for taxis for those who aren’t as fortunate to own a car.. they will continue to use taxi’s regardless of this hike..which is justified being that they haven’t had an increase for the past 7 years.. you try working that long without an increase.. new tires ,tune ups, drunken people urinating, vomiting, pooping their pants dirtying the seats bad behavior also jumping out of their cabs not paying or robbing them, a very high risk job they take a lot of abuse from people and much much more.. so please stop hating and give the drivers a break ….
If you do not use taxis, then the increase is not relevent to you.
But think of anything else that you use that might go up at 25% under current circumstances!!
We have to all accept that the timing is not good. Hopefully there is another method to give the drivers some relief on fuel costs that does not unduly impact users.
If we are honest, passengers that are most likely to use taxis regardless of expense are visitors, the elderly and persons with young children who do not easily have alternatives. None of them will be happy and if tourists start to cmplain, where will we be?
You think the government should subsidize taxi drivers?
The drivers want this increase.
Someone has to pay for the taxi increase! Who should that be? Everyone, or the people that use the taxis? You do realize that government handouts come out of all our pockets!!!!! I’m beginning to think that some commenters are not paying their taxes. Either that or they are just ignorant and this government has a magic money tree. Have you not been paying attentention?
The taxi service is a luxury item when one considers that there’s public transportation. Punishing the tax payer for a luxury item for the few is just plain stupid.
Translation of Lawrence Scott’s Proposal: Less Government Revenue to pay the cost of fourteen years of nouveau riche, idiotic PLP pork barrel spending –
All of which left us with an out of control Civil Service on the verge of turning into Big Brother in their self perpetuating swallowing of what remains of the economy and infuriating interference in daily life (especially if the guy owes his job to his cousin and has it out for people who can actually contribute something to economic growth); utterly incompetent capital spending on infrastructure projects and worse (yes, that man again); a total failure to reform revenue collection, (by way of example why are professions such as doctors, lawyers, architects not taxed on their total revenues while the workers of this country are hugely out of pocket through all the hidden taxes on the necessities of life? Fourteen years and the workers’ party failed to figure this out). I could go on but you get my drift.
The best thing the PLP could do for Bermuda right now is apologize and sign up to the program. The number one reason for this is that the capital needed to get this ship moving again (not just keep it barely afloat)will never invest here if it thinks this self-serving rabble may be running things again in four years or sooner. Even worse, our best brains will continue to go to places where they are wanted and respected rather than waste their lives on what looks more and more like perpetual sectarian politics of envy and greed against the producers of this country.
COME ON, GET REAL BERMUDA!
“…is an essential service” – if this were true their obligation to work unsocial hours would be enforced. Try getting a cab on Front Street after 2am. Try getting a cab from the east or west end of the island after 11pm.
Another stupid idea by someone who does not understand business!
I take ‘essential service’ as being put on the list (perhaps it is a hint hint to the OBA)with the others who SHOULD BE giving 21 days notice to STRIKE.
Wasn’t this offering to the Taxi Operators a given when the PLP were in office or was that another ‘acid reflux moment’ idea.
Just wondering
I love how the PLP have great solutions for the working man…. when in reality….
They foisted mandatory GPS on the taxi industry, for ‘efficiency’, but really just to line the pockets of friends and family. This upfront and continuing cost made it even more expensive for taxis to operate.
Then allowing the huge increase in mini-bus licences, in effect drastically reducing the passenger market for taxis. Mini-buses also have a huge unfair competitive advantage as they don’t have the huge licence cost, and their vehicles don’t have to be brought in new!
Might as well add on killing IB to the mix, as now we have less expats and visiting business people using taxis.
So… that is what the PLP did to put the taxi industry in this position.
There was an instance with the GPS where a fare was in Somerset and the GPS signaled that the closest taxi was in Hamilton (If we had a bridge between the 2). GPS would work great here if Bermuda fell on more than just one grid square. We are in grid 32N 64W, that’s all. Then you have the issue that the GPS has to be read, possibly while driving. Then there’s the issue that some old time taxi drivers don’t know how to read (no disrespect intended). Great efficient solution there for the working class. Who made the $2000 GPS mandatory again?
“What for many of us, is an essential service”….. WHO US???? What essential service… This from the brightest I’m constantly told.
“Not while our salaries continue to stagnate or be slashed”. And you’re still taken a $40 taxi ride for a $4 bus trip????
Again, lets reduce government revenue all the while debt is ever increasing and more burden is placed on the tax payer to cover the shortfall…
Same with the tax breaks for telcom companies, where do they think the shortfall is going to be made up from?
“Bermudians simply cannot afford yet another OBA driven increase in the cost of, what for many of us, is an essential service. Not while our salaries continue to stagnate or be slashed. Bermudas taxi rates are already considered expensive by both visitors and locals. Adding an additional 25 percent to that will just exacerbate the issue.”
IT WAS THE TAXIS, NOT THE OBA WHO YOU SHOULD BE BLAMING YOU MORON
Pay rise AND a rebate!!!! get real.
Taxi rise means MORE people getting caught DUI
The PLP did nothing for taxis except to allow more competition,so they made less money!