Senate Passes Ridesharing Legislation
The Senate of Bermuda has passed ridesharing legislation, “marking an important step in strengthening and modernising the island’s transport offering.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The legislation is designed to support the existing taxi industry while addressing long-standing gaps in service, particularly during peak periods and times of high demand. Taxis will continue to take priority, with rideshare providing a regulated back-up option when service is not readily available.
“Transportation reliability also continues to be identified as a key factor in the overall visitor experience, reinforcing the importance of a more responsive and accessible system.
“The framework introduces clear standards for all operators, including requirements around licensing, insurance, and safety. It also brings greater visibility and accountability through the use of digital platforms, allowing for improved tracking of service levels and demand across the island.
“The Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, MP, noted that the passage of the legislation represents a meaningful step forward for the island.”
Minister Darrell said, “We’re pleased to have reached this point. This has been a thoughtful process, and the end result is a balanced approach that supports our taxi industry while addressing the very real challenges people experience when trying to get around. For too many people, getting around hasn’t always been easy. Ridesharing will expand transportation options, improve accessibility, and help create a more connected Bermuda. It also opens new opportunities for Bermudians to earn, offering another way to participate in our economy. The Government’s approach supports a balanced transportation system: taxis first, rideshare when needed. Our taxi industry remains a vital part of Bermuda’s transport network, and this legislation is designed to strengthen the system, not replace it. The Government heard your concerns, took action, and is delivering for the people of Bermuda. Ultimately, this is about improving the overall transport experience in Bermuda and making sure people can get where they need to go, when they need to. The Government will now move into the implementation phase, working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure a smooth and practical rollout.”
And Sen. Mischa Fubler said, “Taxi operators remain a vital part of Bermuda’s transport system and are widely recognised as frontline ambassadors for the island. This framework is intended to support the overall system by ensuring that when taxis are unavailable, residents and visitors are not left without options.”
lets see who enriches themselves from this
The man with the app lmao…duh!
I hope that a licence to provide ride-share transportation is as stringent as a taxi licence.
Have you taken the taxi drivers license? Go over to TCD and try it. Any midde schooler with a little local knowledge should be able to pass it.
Did it on a whim one day. No studying. Nothing. Passed. Crazy easy.
Had a heavy truck license so an on the road test was not even done.
Obviously taxi driver tests have got easier. It used to be that you had to know the names of various lanes off of Bob’s Valley Road in Somerset and the names of various lanes off of Ship’s Hill in St. George’s
Ten years ago it was rediculously easy. I don’t suppose that anything has changed. There would be howls of discrimination if it was made more difficult.
My memories of taking driving tests (truck, taxi and ambulance) go back to the 1980s, so your experience will be much more relevant than mine.
It’s about time for this. The taxi drivers will have complaints but now the pressure is on them to provide the services they claim they deserve to provide. At the same time the door is open for people to make additional income filling the clear and obvious gaps in the taxi drivers’ service. This is a welcome change and I hope that the licenses are being issued by May!!!
Well done. This legislation provides options for visitors and residents alike but still protects the traditional taxi driver.
I am sure The OBA and Senator Tannock see the shortcomings in the current situation. Senator Wight spoke to how the business community feels aggrieved when trying to get from point A to B. They didn’t support this bill but how would they resolve the issues? The issues do not all resolve by enforcement.
I am pleased that the government has pushed this through.
What does Taxi first mean for the Joe/Joanna riders? Do I HAVE to summon a taxi before I ask for a more reliable rideshare?
“What does Taxi first mean”?
It means whatever the PLP Government wants it to mean, depending on who is asking the question at any given time.
I believe the app will allow the taxi drivers to accept the fare first (within a specific time frame) and if none of the taxi drivers accept it, then the ride share drivers will be then able to secure it.
It is like this the customer will always be calling to get a taxi regardless of the situation. When the dispatcher has a customer wait time for longer than a specific time period then they will send the job out to a ride share operator. In other words the only way the customer can get a ride share is if they have already been waiting for some time. This is the “protection mechanism” for the taxi drivers. However once they implement this system I foresee them changing that system within a year. Simply because the ride share drivers will seek out equal opportunities and they will have data to support that. Taxi drivers will have to accept that they have dropped the ball collectively and many of the taxi drivers will likely switch over to ride share operator should the preference for taxi drivers be taken away in the future.
I would hope that the interests of the customer is put first and whoever can get to the customer first will get the job.
If the taxi says 30 minutes to pickup and the private driver says 15 minutes there is no question on who gets the job.
Who owns the app? Like we can’t already guess.
What will happen to my gypsy drive, with his old car, a 4 cylinder engine, where only 3 cylinders work, and his car cannot go up a step hill? Who speaks for him? A great guy.
Hopefully, you will keep using your gypsy driver and keep him in food.
I do not see ridesharing happening any time soon.
First, there has to be some form or licencing or regulation put in place.
Second, insurance companies have to consider the additional risk and fix an appropriate premium. At present, insurance policies exclude cover if a private car is used for a commercial purpose.
It is my hope that rideshares will be regulated in the same way as taxis. Get an appropriate vehicle in good condition, insure the vehicle for commercial work, renew your annual licence, and then make money.
That, of course, assumes that the rideshare driver does not have to pay TCD hundreds or thousands of dollars for a special rideshare driving licence.
Re: insurance policies excluding cover if a private car is used for a commercial purpose, would the same apply to a part time Sargasso driver?
“would the same apply to a part time Sargasso driver?”
That would depend on whether the delivery driver has declared their use of their vehicle for work purposes.
Logic would demand that consultation with TCD and the insurance companies was done long before the regulations were drawn up and sent to the HOA and onward to the Senate.
The HOA does not make the regulations. The political Government directs what it wants done. All of the involved partys create the regulations to make it happen. The HOA then reviews them and passes them into law.
All of the involved partys then pull the trigger and should be ready to go. They know what is coming. They had all should have had a hand in creating it.
Can’t think of any reason why ride share cars are not available by May 1st in time for the 2026 season. At this point the ball is firmly in the court of TCD and the insurance companies. Paperwork.
No doubt the insurance companys are ready. TCD? Well….that is another matter.
“Logic would demand …”
What does logic have to do with our government?
It means that a taxi gets the first opportunity for the job.