Senators have approved legislation to introduce ride-sharing in Bermuda despite a lack of support from the Opposition.

Mischa Fubler, the Junior Minister for Tourism and Transport, said the Motor Car (Ride-sharing) Amendment Act 2026 was a “practical response to a well documented challenge”.

He said despite the hard work of taxi operators, transportation has proved a point of friction for visitors, and the legislation would help to make the system more effective,

Mr Fubler added that enforcement alone could not guarantee taxi coverage during late hours, weekends, holidays or large events.

Ride-sharing permits will be limited to 150 to ensure the service is “supplemental” to taxis, with regular reviews.

He said digital dispatching would allow the Government to collect data on transport demand, helping to shape policy.

The Senate heard that regulations for the system have been drafted and would be coming soon with the intention of having ride-sharing in place this year.

John Wight, vice president of the Senate, said if the island wanted to “up its game” in tourism, it needed better public transportation, stating that while many taxi drivers gave excellent service, there were still not enough.

He said that he was concerned about potentially disenfranchising taxi owners and operators, but noted that the proposed dispatch system’s preference to taxis.

Tarik Smith, OBA senator, said that as a taxi operator he was concerned, stating that ride-share systems had “destroyed” the industry elsewhere.

He said he was comforted by the idea that taxi operators would be given dispatch priority, but said the Government needed to enforce rules already in place and get more of the 600 licensed taxis on the road.

Mr Smith said operators invested significant sums on their vehicles and often made as little as $10 an hour during the off season.

Lindsay Simmons, PLP senator, however, recalled waiting hours for a taxi to visit her ill father, and having to drive people herself when taxis did not answer calls.

“This is not a threat to taxi drivers. This is not an unregulated shift. This is not change for the sake of change. This is thoughtful reform.”

Ms Simmons called the legislation fair and balanced, putting taxi drivers first as contributors to the island’s economy.

She added: “As the daughter of a taxi driver, if it didn’t, I would have a problem with this Bill.”

Tawana Tannock, independent senator, noted that even with regulated ride-sharing in the UK, a study had shown an “inherent and gradual decline” in the incomes of taxi drivers.

Mr Fubler, however, said the study was not based on the Bermuda model in which taxis and ride-shares operate through the same dispatch system, adding that it was not an apples-to-apples comparison.

Ms Tannock queried the Government’s decision to advance ride-sharing before enforcing taxi policies already in place. She noted comments from the Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association, questioning how much consultation was had with taxi operators.

Victoria Cunningham, OBA senator, said the Opposition was not against improving transportation, but was not in favour of introducing another system when the present arrangement fell short.

She added: “This Bill doesn’t fix the existing system, so why are we going to add another layer to it?”

With no regulations before the Senate, Ms Cunningham questioned if ride-share operators would be held to the same vehicle and dress standards as taxi operators.

Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, said the BTOA had two years to confer on a response to the issue, but had not done so meaningfully.

She added: “I have an Airbnb. I live in the west. We are often driving our guest from point A to point B.

“We had people who arrived a month ago for a wedding. They could not get to the wedding. It was a lucky thing I returned home and was able to drive them to the location.”

The legislation was approved by a vote of seven to four, with Ms Tannock joining the three OBA senators in opposition.