Hundreds of taxi drivers protest strict regulations

~~Adz:Left~~HAMILTON, Bermuda - OVER 300 taxi drivers reportedly staged a protest gathering last evening (Jan. 26) at the Warwick Workmen’s Club to discuss strict Global Positioning System (GPS) regulations from the Transport Control Department (TCD).

Stringent standards over GPS use, resulting in as many as 200 cabs failing their TCD certification tests since December 1, had the taxi drivers up in arms at the meeting. According to the drivers, they are being failed because their GPS systems are not connected, but they claim they have little say in whether or not the navigation systems work.

Many of the drivers stated that it is the responsibility of their dispatching companies to ensure the GPS is operational and, therefore, the drivers should not be penalised for delinquency regarding the regulation.

Conversely, the dispatchers have claimed that the drivers whose vehicles have been equipped with GPS often turn the units off so they could pick up more lucrative work, such as tours, or avoid tracking altogether.

After several hours of discussion, the gathered group of taxi drivers disbanded when they finally agreed that legal action may be a viable option against the government.

“At this stage we can't say what action will be taken. The meeting resolved itself that they will leave it to the lawyers to take what steps they see fit,” taxi driver Lee Tucker told The Royal Gazette.

Radio Cab presented themselves at the gathering as one of the most persecuted companies, claiming that as many as 70 of their drivers were not approved for licensing because of the GPS laws while other companies had their drivers approved in the same time period.

They further stated that they had already sought legal council on the matter. GPS use in Bermuda taxis became mandatory in 2005 when government began to notice that cabs were not being made available at necessary times.

Despite this legislation, many taxi drivers refused to turn on the units, resulting in the Motor Car Amendment Act to be passed in the summer of 2008. The act requires that all taxi drivers have their GPS on during working hours.