HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Bermuda’s taxi drivers say they are losing patience with the Government, accusing it of stalling after going almost nine years without a fare increase. Last year the Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association (BTOA) called for a 20 per cent rise in fare rates, which are set by the Government. The last increase was granted in May 2014.

Bermuda, a 21-square mile island, has around 600 taxis.

According to the association, that increase had yet to be introduced, even though it could be done “with the flick of a pen”.

Instead, the BTOA has been told by the new Transport Minister Wayne Furbert that a further review is required before any increase can be introduced.

A spokeswoman for the BTOA said that at a meeting with Furbert last week, representatives were told that although a green paper was presented to the Cabinet, it was rejected.

“It’s as if the Government spent all that time on a green paper for the industry, and now it counts for nothing. We’ve had about 10 meetings with two different transport ministers in the last year and we don’t seem to be getting anywhere. We don’t know who to believe any more,” the BROA spokeswoman said.

A Government spokeswoman was unable to offer a timeline on when a fare increase might come into effect, and said any changes had to benefit “all stakeholders, including the travelling public”.

She said the Ministry of Transport is committed to advancing the Throne Speech initiative to modernise the public transportation system.

Taxi rates vary depending on the number of passengers. For one to four passengers the rate is US$2.75 per mile.