The Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association (BTOA) is expressing outrage and frustration over recent comments made by Premier David Burt regarding the introduction of ride-sharing services to Bermuda. The BTOA, representing the island’s taxi operators, is calling for swift government action to address what it perceives as a severe threat to the industry’s livelihood and the broader regulatory environment.
In a recent interview with Bermuda Broadcasting, Premier Burt stated that it is “inevitable” for new services to attempt to enter Bermuda’s transportation market, acknowledging that the current lack of regulation hampers the government’s ability to prevent such services. The Premier added that while the government is working on proposals to prioritize taxis, these new services pose a challenge.
BTOA spokesman Randy Broadbelt, however, is demanding more immediate and decisive action. “There are laws on the books right now regarding dispatch services that Island Go and other illegal entities are not following,” Broadbelt said. “The government has the power to enforce these laws and issue cease-and-desist orders. They could penalize passengers, taxi operators, and citizens using these unlawful services—but they have failed to act.”
Broadbelt expressed his disappointment, noting that the BTOA has repeatedly alerted Transport Minister Wayne Furbert to the illegal operations of Island Go, a ride-sharing company that began advertising in Bermuda as early as Late 2023. Despite multiple follow-ups in 2024, including a direct notification after a Bermuda Broadcasting investigation into the company, no significant action has been taken by the government.
“The Ministry of Transport has been completely inert,” Broadbelt added. “If the Premier and the Transport Minister cannot enforce the regulations of an industry they oversee, what else are they neglecting? What about crime, drink driving, or other critical issues under their jurisdiction? Is this a government that just lets things spiral into chaos?”
The frustration within the BTOA has been simmering for years and reached a tipping point last year during the government’s throne speech, where a promised rate increase for taxi drivers came with the implication that ride-sharing services would also be introduced. BTOA members have long voiced concerns that these ride-sharing services would undercut the already fragile taxi industry.
“We are sick and tired of the games,” Broadbelt said emphatically. “If you’re a Bermudian, you’re sick and tired. The BTOA is sick and tired of this lack of action.”
In response to these concerns, the government has reiterated that it is consulting with stakeholders and drafting ride-sharing regulations that aim to improve transportation options without undercutting the taxi industry. A government spokesperson stated that regulations would prioritize taxis, ensuring they remain the primary transportation service for residents and visitors. The spokesperson emphasized that there are no approved apps for private cars to operate for hire, and drivers who work with Island Go would be acting unlawfully.
Nevertheless, the BTOA is demanding concrete action, not just promises. “We’ve had enough of consultations and empty words,” Broadbelt said. “The government must either enforce the existing regulations or face a backlash from the industry—and possibly the voters.”
The BTOA is considering further steps, including a potential vote of no confidence in the Premier if no meaningful action is taken.
