“Minibuses Were In Service The Entire Day”
In light of the “Government’s decision to put the issue of the rental cars in abeyance until the September sitting of the House,” the Bermuda Minibus Association and Somers Isles Minibus Association “decided that no further action was warranted at this time” and the “minibuses were in service the entire day.”
Minibus Statement
In a joint statement this afternoon, the Associations advised: “The Bermuda Minibus Association and the Somers Isles Minibus Association wish to jointly advise the public that at an emergency meeting last night, it was the decision of our members, in light of the Government’s decision to put the issue of the rental cars in abeyance until the September sitting of the House, that no further action was warranted at this time.
“This decision of our membership was communicated to Mr. Leo Simmons, President of the Taxi Association at the end of our meeting. Consequently the minibuses were in service the entire day providing cruise ship visitors and visitors at the L.F. Wade International airport with transportation to various destinations on the Island. We look forward to working with the Minister to address our concerns about the proposal to have rental cars in Bermuda.
The statement was signed by David Burgess, the President of the Bermuda Minibus Association and Kevin E. Bean, the President of the Somers Isles Minibus Association.
Taxi Drivers Withdraw Labour
This follows after Taxi drivers gathered outside the House of Assembly on Friday, and said they have withdrawn their labour until Monday, with the Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association President Leo Simmons saying they are seeking for the rental car bill to be “withdrawn completely from the books.”
Govt Tables Motor Car Amendment
Government recently tabled the Motor Car Amendment [No. 2] Act 2016 in the House of Assembly, with the Bill seeking to amend the Motor Car Act 1951 to include provisions for a motor car rental scheme.
The Bill’s Explanatory Memorandum says, “This Bill seeks to amend to amend the Motor Car Act 1951 [the “principal Act”] to include provisions for a motor car livery scheme including the types of motor cars that are available as a rental, the specifications of and licence duty for those motor cars, the licence fee applicable for the operation of a motor car livery, and for connected purposes.”
Bill Carried Forward
The Bill was due to be debated in the House on Friday, however following a meeting with taxi owners and other transportation stakeholders, the Government said they decided not to debate the Bill on Friday and will “carry it forward to the next parliamentary session in order to consult with transportation partners further.”
Seem like the taxi driver that are missing out are anti-OBA and show that there is no working with this government.
The oba/U.B.P.have not consulted with the drivers. They appear to be dictatorial in their approach to the drivers. Government’s approach lacks democracy.The oba/U.B.P. have functioned this way since January 2013…with no consult to the people of this country.
U.B.P./oba have pounced on Bermudians with multiple wild ideas.
There is so much traffic on these roads with this government, bringing in their own people to weaken the electoral process for Bermudians.It could backfire on them.
Guess you believe everything that’s spoon fed to you lmfao…sheep!
Come on give me a break if you would checked you would have seen most if the taxis where out there
Thats why Black people will ALWAYS be considered de laughing stock, we just dont stick together.
I would think that the cycle livery guys -Smatts, Oleander etc. would be against 2 seater rental cars than the taxi drivers. But then they are taxi drivers!!!!
Why? They should just bring some in.
Why? They could just add them to their livery fleet.
Jinx.
At least the mini bus guys are real businessmen and women. Chasing dollars while the Taxi owners loose more traction. Dr. Brown was on their side until they proved to him that they lack common business sense. I’m local and will catch the bus before flagging a cab. 4 out of 5 cabbies don’t stop for me anyway.
Perhaps more mini bus permits should be granted now, since they stepped up to the wicket and help move our vistors aeound..
Yes so we can have more like the Driver of MD094 who over took me on Sunday just as Firetruck was coming round a corner, he was lucky, very lucky indeed.
mercy you must be one of those clowns that are benefitting from that$350,000 …crazy !
4
@DRUNKEN URSULA ONLY CLOWN HERE MUST BE YOU? YOU MUST BE ONE OF THOSE TAXI DRIVERS WHO ARE BITCHING BUT YET WHEN DOCTER BROWN BACK IN THE DAY TOLD YOU GUYS TO COME TOGETHER AS ONE YOU BLEW HIM OFF..I AM JUST A BERMUDIAN WHO IS TIRED OF THE CONSTENT BULL**** OF PEOPLE ALWAYS TRYING TO HOLD THE COUNTRY AS A HOSTAGE BE IT TAXIS,FERRY OR BUS SERVICES
.AND ANOTHER THING I VOTED FOR A GOVERNMENT TO RUN THIS COUNTRY AND NOT A BUNCH OF OVER PAID CIVIL SERVANTS WHO HAS NO ONE TO ANSWEAR TOO..ABOUT TIME THE ELECTRD PEOPLE STEP UP TO THE WICKET AND STOP LETTING THE CIVIL SERVANTS MAKING BACK ROOM DECISIONS..
Thats de problem, we’re concerned with chasing dollars then standing up for principles.
Thats de same problem in de underworld here.
forget you bie….yur not feeding my family and paying my bills! My principals are my family, not your warped values!
Brown on their side!?! lmao Brown did everything to run the taxi industry into the ground.
I totally agree. I was at Horseshoe Bay today. My old bike was acting up (all that rain I think)
I got her started. But I would’ve walked Point before I spent $40!! On a damn taxi
B!%@h and moan. B!%@h and moan! It’s all we ever hear!
It’s quite clear that the BS is coming from the opposition, who failed miserably I might add!
It’s time to move forward!
Stand firm Mr. Fhay
It was also nice to see you, your son, and the Premier at Horseshoe Bay. To ensure that the tourists were provided transport
Point Boy – you sound like one of the fairyland boys or one of them that live in a glass house high on the hill.
It amazes me that people act like the average person can’t protest to protect their rights.
And as for your beloved OBA, they ain’t no different than the previous 2 governments.
It’s still friends n family first, and what they can get for themselves, and if you believe any different than you only fooling yourself.
Now back to your billiard table behind your gated community
@ Paul Revere.
I don’t have a fancy house anywhere. I pay rent. Go to work everyday (in the sun and rain) everyday to pay for it.
I’ve said before that it’s the lack of options, why my vote goes to the OBA!
Well Point boy, your either brainwashed or have undeserved privilege.
Sonunds like Trump supporters are getting ready.
You mean de guy who is anti-immigration , sounds like de PLP .
Um not ant-immigration, just pro-Bermudian.
Oh I forgot that makes me a racist too.
LMFAO
I just realized I drove to gorhams and back without almost dying… I’m safe until Monday?
All taxis should be boycotted….
Point Boy…if you can stop one day and take your head out of the sand, this is bigger than the Opposition and in fact YOUR own Party members were up in arms for the deceitful way this Bill was introduced by none other than Mr. No Personality, Controversy, Arrogant, who has NEVER been elected but allowed to have the most say!
EVERYTHING he touches goes sour!!!
I think someone mentioned Glass Houses???
How much debt? Get your head out of the sand
I am trying hard but I can fathom any of these commenters being Bermudian. I just don’t feel a Bermudian vibe from them its odd.
You obviously dont know any ex-pats.
Or any Bermudians .
Best comment I have read since this tv was invented.
Irony.
you aint got a bermudian vibe from ya comment either. guess ya an expat lol.
How do you tell a Bermudian vibe? Am I giving off a Bermudian vibe?
Am I ?
Taxi drivers are their own worst enemies. The don’t even have enough common sense to know ‘where their bread is buttered’. Cudos to the Minibus Drivers for putting our visitors first. They DO know ‘where their bread is buttered’
There was a convoy of taxis driving around yesterday. Clogging up the roads, honking their horns, driving at two miles per hour – as per usual.
This bill has nothing to do with the taxi industry or should affect them. The taxi industry needs to get off its high horse.
A nice ski lift would be nice…a mono rail train that re generates electricity through opposing magnetic lifts.
On a circular track and over or under great sound through a plexiglass tunnel.
Trained porpoises to let guests ride them point to point.
Orcas maybe.
Rickshaw…or royal henfield motorcycles with passenger seats like they have in Malaysia, Thailand, and India….
If I as a 57 yr old guy coming from the states.. an iam used to driving my big Ole gas guzzler of a truck… and am paying $600 a day for a 3 star hotel… and meals on top… and it’s raining… an all I can rent is a scooter. ..
REALLY. ….
What tourists spends all that money to visit Bermuda just to come a local news site to comment on island issue’s! You’re a tourist and I’m typing this from the moon!
He never said he was a tourist , that’s what the word “if” means . What he is saying is absolutely correct .
He said (if I)!
Am not..as iam the only one using my name… live right by south P… but just saying. .
Taxi drivers, get a life. You think you are the end all of everything.
Take care of the tourists that arrive in the island. That is where your income comes from.
Our needs for the tourists transportation should come first. I have called many times for a taxi and found out that they were parked outside the hotels.
Get a life you low life people.
Another thing. You do not own the road.
Be aware and safe.
The sun rises in the east.
Fact.
Shalom.