BDA Taxi Owners Await Proposal Implementation
The taxi industry eagerly awaits the implementation of their proposals that were put forward to the government in 2013, according to Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association president Derek Young.
Concerning his organization’s recent dealings with government officials, Mr. Young said, “We have been very patient going about our business. We met with the Minister of Transportation back in September 2013 and laid out all our plans. The Minister guaranteed us that those plans will be taken to Parliament in February and implemented soon after, once passed through the House and Senate.
“Among our proposals are a metered rate increase, the ability to take up to seven people in a cab for an extra charge, adjustment in the chartered tour rate, and moving the license and insurance period to a time more convenient than it presently is.”
“There have not been many ramblings within the industry, but we remain concerned, although we’re very optimistic. Presently, we’re trying our best to please the traveling public that use our services and not get too involved with the politics side of the business. We trust the Minister will come through for us.
“Our last rate increase was in 2006, so this implementation will only somewhat assist us in living a better life, allowing us to pay bills.
“Maintenance alone on a taxi is extraordinary.
We also look forward to legislation being applied to restrictions, rules, and regulations for minibuses,” said Mr. Young. “We are all in the transportation business, so we should all have rules and guidelines to go by.
“Moving forward toward the new year, our aim will be to address further concerns.
“We would like to be able to bring in second-hand vehicles for taxi use, instead of being forced to buy a brand new vehicle when our old one fails. We all are experiencing hard times and we should be allowed to use our own discretion when purchasing vehicles and running our business.
“We also need to have fair completion across the board in transportation and, most of all, we want to see the government allow a taxi authority be set up so that we can run and direct our own industry.
“Our main goal is to provide great customer service to the public, along with reliable and dependable transportation. We are not perfect but we always look to get it right. We talk about issues and complaints we recieve are always seeking improvements to the business.
“We encourage the government, along with the public, to support us as we try to improve our service and move our industry forward,” said Mr. Young.
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- BTOA President Responds To Minister Richards | Bernews.com | February 27, 2014
I’m onboard.
Oh great, are the taxis going out on protest strike next? Nothing happens in regular business till after the budget debate & that goes till when, the end of March?
I’ve heard it said in so many words that SOME of your issues are not at the top of the food chain! God forbid you take strike action! Some would view it as a giant conspiracy and not the unwillingness of the government to address its people’s concerns.
Good luck with that!
Taxis won’t strike. The only people that strike are ones that keep getting paid even while they’re sitting at home.
What does a metered rate increase mean?! Hopefully not for Joe Blow!
There are some topics posted by people who appear to be angry and choose to vent that anger here, we are often exposed to camouflaged profanity, but, profanity never the less.
“The man that shouts the loudest is not necessarily the man we hear.”
If you bash you thumb with a hammer in the work shop, say what you will.
Bernews is a respectable public forum where profanity in any form is not acceptable.
Think wisely my friends before you speak.