Transport Minister Ewart Brown unveiled a raft of taxi changes yesterday including fare rises, a limousine service and shared rides.

However Dr. Brown said increased charges would be linked to service and there was no timetable for the hike.

He said: “We haven't talked about a percentage although percentages were tabled during discussions.”

He said fares hadn't risen since 1997.

“It would be prudent to look at it but we are tying that to a level of performance. You cannot be rewarded for not performing.”

New drivers will also be expected to undergo training in locating streets, meter use and customer service similar to the ambassador programme undertaken by bus drivers.

Transport Control Director Kevin Monkman said the geography training would not be as onerous at “the knowledge” test taken by London cabbies.

The course, likely to run at Bermuda College, will also cover general knowledge of Bermuda landmarks for cabbies taking tourists on tours.

Metre training was needed to make sure the right rate was charged, said Mr. Monkman.

Rates go up at certain times of the day and on public holidays and must be varied for different numbers of passengers.

A decision has not been made on whether established drivers will be required to take the training when their three-year licences expire.

The working party behind the proposals agreed on allowing drivers to charge multiple fares for shared rides originated at the airport, which cabbies have long pushed for.

Legislation on shared rides is expected in the summer session.

“That will make a difference,” said Dr. Brown. “This is not a report which will sit on the shelf and gather dust. There will be action and decisions on them within a matter of weeks.”

There will also be a new dress code.

Dr. Brown said: “We have had reports of people dressed in what was considered an extremely casual manner.

“The working group heard about it and wanted to upgrade it.”

He said he was not sure what the new code would be but pointed out that Bermuda's bus drivers were smartly turned out.

“It will be consistent with Bermuda's image as an upscale destination.”

The current limit on taxi drivers owning only four vehicle will be abandoned to encourage fleet ownership.

A bill of rights for drivers and passengers will also be brought in.

Guidelines likely to appear include the right to air conditioning on demand, a radio-free trip, a driver who uses the horn only when necessary to warn of danger, smoke free air, and a clean passenger seat.

It is proposed that 50 taxi permit holders will be allowed to transform into limousines with Government setting high standards.

“We don't want to call something a limousine in name only,” said Dr. Brown.

Limousines will be a new form of public service vehicle restricted to customers who have reserved the service. Rate charges will not be regulated.

He said the drivers were given the recommendations last Thursday and a response was likely this week.

Dr. Brown said the lack of taxi drivers at yesterday's press conference at the Cabinet building signified they were busy.

The proposals follow a January meeting in Warwick between Government and taxi owners which suggested a review team be set up.

The plans were formed by representatives from the Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board, The Transport Control Department, The Bermuda Taxi Owners Association, The Taxi Dispatching Companies, The Bermuda Hotel Association, Police and the Bermuda Alliance for Tourism.

Asked about whether drivers could cope with new flights coming this summer Dr. Brown said the optimistic view was they would rise to the occasion “whether that is characteristically so or uncharacteristically so”.

“In the unlikely event they find themselves unable or unwilling to serve the public, we have an obligation to see to it that the public will be served.”

“These do represent ideas pulled together with their representation. I don't want you to think they are not hear because they are in some form of protest.”

Buses and other contingency measures are in hand if things go wrong.

He said Government had finally succeeded in increasing airlift.

“It would be an outright shame if these people came and we said we are closed for business.”