Taxi drivers frustrated at not receiving a rate increase in ten years will be staging an impromptu protest this morning.

It will be the third protest staged by members of the Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association since last September, when scores of taxis lined up along Kindley Field.

They were joined by representatives from other industries, claiming they were not being properly consulted by the Government on various issues affecting their livelihoods.

The BTOA invited its members to turn up to the Transport Control Department in Pembroke from 7am with all vehicles expected to be in place by 8.30am.

A spokeswoman for the BTOA said that the action was being taken in response to a letter it received from Wayne Furbert, the Minister of Transport, on Friday after the organisation called for a meeting to discuss industry matters.

The BTOA said it hoped that the meeting would address several issues, including the potential for taxi drivers to receive a rate increase.

Mr Furbert responded saying that any meeting would be after approvals for a rate increase were in place on April 1.

In his letter to the BTOA, Mr Furbert said: “Contrary to the suggestion that the ministry has not been forthcoming, we have conducted a series of meetings with BTOA specifically to discuss the details of the harmonisation and modernisation efforts.

“These meetings were structured to address various potential aspects, including but not limited to dispatching changes, increase in lift capacity, permit payments, reduction in payroll taxes, etc.

“Our goal during these interactions was to ensure that the BTOA had an understanding of the initiatives.

“In light of your concerns about the impending increase, I would like to reiterate that the ministry is actively working towards having the necessary approvals in place before April 1.

“Understanding the importance of transparency and communication, I want to assure you that once the necessary approvals are secured, we will be more than willing to reconvene for a meeting dedicated to discussing the increase, as well as rehashing the details of the harmonisation and modernisation efforts with the members.

“This meeting will provide an opportunity for further clarification, address any lingering questions and ensure that all members are well informed.”

The BTOA wrote to its members on February 4 after receiving the letter from Mr Furbert, calling for action to be taken. It said: “We find ourselves at a crossroad with our ongoing dialogue with the minister and his ministry.

“Your executive has no confidence that the minister will be able to deliver the requested increase by April 1, 2024 — the start of yet another season where they will expect the taxi industry to do the heavy lifting.

“We are in our tenth year of no increase to the meter and, along with no increase, virtually no appreciation from the entities we support.

“The few incomplete examples of harmonisation and modernisation of the transportation industry do not justify holding the taxi industry increase hostage.

“We cannot wait until April 1, 2024 to discover that the increase requested [20 per cent] and the increase proposed are significant percentage points apart.”

The BTOA raised other issues, including the time at night that taxi rates should go up and the potential legitimisation of informal taxis by the Government over the association’s preference of issuing temporary taxi permits.

The BTOA added: “We ask for your support with our next steps.”

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Transport issued a statement last night saying it was “disappointing” that the BTOA was staging a protest. She said the ministry recognises the importance of continuous communication “in fostering a collaborative relationship between the ministry and the executive and members of the BTOA”.

The spokeswoman added: “At our most recent meeting with the BTOA executive in December 2023, our discussions focused on the details of our harmonisation and modernisation efforts.

“Our discussions covered various potential aspects, such as dispatching changes, increasing lift capacity, permit payments and ensuring taxi owners have access to newly created lift capacity.

“"As I've expressed to the BTOA executive, we will meet with your general membership. This meeting will provide an opportunity for further clarification, address any remaining questions and ensure that all members are well-informed.

“I want to emphasise again that the ministry is actively working to secure the necessary rate increase approvals before April 1.”