OBA’s Dwayne Robinson On Taxi Driver Fees
A number of taxi drivers have expressed their “dismay at having to pay the $1,000 payroll tax in addition to their licencing fees,” former OBA Senator Dwayne Robinson said, adding that “last year, drivers were given a $500 reprieve, why can’t it continue for another year.”
Mr Robinson said, “How can the Government say it’s committed to creating avenues for economic recovery yet at the same time putting barriers in place to make it harder?
“Recently, we have had a number of taxi drivers express their dismay at having to pay the $1,000 payroll tax in addition to their licencing fees despite most barely making it through the pandemic—which still is not over.
“Last year, drivers were given a $500 reprieve, why can’t it continue for another year?
“Where is the compassion? Why can’t drivers be given some sort of relief, at least until 2022. The taxi industry has been struggling. The last thing it needs is a nail in its coffin. It has been predicted that tourism in Bermuda may not bounce back for at least another year, so why treat taxi drivers as if it already has?
“Many drivers may not be able to make the payment. How can we rebuild our tourism product with the loss of several taxi operators? Why haven’t the taxi drivers been considered by the Premier as the Minister responsible for tourism?”
Taxis drivers are the worse most arrogant drivers on the road, give them a deduction.
They double park where they like, feel they need to drive right up on your arse.
They already get enough breaks, and I bet none of them stay on the roads the hours there suppose to.
I had a taxi driver double park out front of Supermart in 5 o clock traffic and he ran in to get an item and then came out 10 minutes later – held traffic up while his privileged self was too lazy to park across the street like the rest of us! No breaks for these fools!
…former OBA Senator Robinson??
Let Uber in and watch the standards improve and the prices fall.
Visitors are amazed they cannot use Uber, we can’t afford jobs for the boys any more.
Why taxi drivers? If they provided the service they are mandated to do would be one thing. Having to put up with no shows, political chatter and radio shows and no A/C is enough to put anyone off.
There are so many other businesses which have suffered and received little help. When will the Civil Service share some pain? No wonder people don’t pay land tax and other taxes and if the Government increase any to pay the Government expenses they will receive less as more don’t pay.
The OBA needs to be a bit more selective when playing politics.
Taxi drivers don’t have much sympathy with the general public. They don’t deserve any after decades of rotten service to the public. Why would the OBA stick it’s nose into this issue anyway? Taxi drivers are not going to vote OBA no matter how much the PLP dumps on them.
The annual license fee for a taxi is about the same as a B class car. If he hustles that can be earned in one day.
Stories abound of taxi drivers taking Government relief yet are working a full-time job or working the taxi.
That is theft from the public. Is government doing anything to investigate & recover this racket? Highly unlikely.
Under what banner does Dwayne speak? Doesn’t the OBA have 6 MPs and 3 Senators who are official OBA representatives? Why don’t we hear from most of them? Who is the Shadow Transport Minister?
Is he still in the OBA?
The taxi drivers I know are struggling. One even had to take a job in building maintenance while still keeping his taxi on the road 12 hours each day when there is little or no business.
I am sorry so many people think taxi drivers are arrogant and selfish. Like any other field of endevour, the minority can spoil it for the majority.
Who cares about taxi drivers? The “service” has been shot for 30 years.
Uber now and allow expats to operate taxis
Expats should never be aloud for this ever. People here who cant get jobs in the IB sector as its more a foreign club with Bermudians mostly in expendable support roles. The education levels they require and you want them to be uber drivers? Sorry if uber comes here it should be a locked job. You want to drive uber go home and do it.
Aloud , allowed , cause , BEcause , etc
Allowed. Not aloud.
Petite
Dwayne honestly you can’t be expressing dismay for a group that makes more in 3 days than what you make in a week.
Expats should never be aloud for this ever. People here who cant get jobs in the IB sector as its more a foreign club with Bermudians mostly in expendable support roles. The education levels they require and you want them to be uber drivers? Sorry if uber comes here it should be a locked job. You want to drive uber go home and do it.