The opposition One Bermuda Alliance has condemned the Government over its treatment of taxi drivers, claiming that their wellbeing is being ignored.

Susan Jackson, the Shadow Minister of Transport, spoke out after drivers pointed out that taxi fares — which are set by the Government — had not increased in almost nine years.

The Bermuda Taxi Operators Association accused the Government of deliberately stalling on implementing an increase. Fares last rose in May 2014, under a One Bermuda Alliance government.

Ms Jackson said today: “How are taxi drivers expected to cover the high costs of living? Taxi operators are not subsidised by government and have to pay for their own health insurance, gas, maintenance, taxes and other expenses.

“Many taxi operators are working 60 hours a week with little to no time for work/life balance.

“The Government doesn’t pay the salaries of taxi drivers, yet it expects them to provide a platinum service at great expense without considering the wellbeing of the taxi driver.”

However, Ms Jackson agreed with the Government that taxi regulations needed an overhaul.

Calling for a “comprehensive review” of the industry, she added: “It's been too long since the Government sat down with taxi owners and asked them how they feel about the industry, their costs of living and acknowledged how much taxi operators are making on an hourly basis, or their loss of earnings.

“The public service taxi regulations haven't been revised since 1952, and many of these regulations no longer serve the industry from a business standpoint.”