Representatives of the taxi industry have set out to draw “crucial” differences between their services and ride-sharing applications.

The Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association said the service its drivers offered had subtle but impactful differences that ensured safety and hospitality.

Ricky Tucker, the president of the BTOA, explained that ride-sharing, ride-hailing and taxi services were “fundamentally different” despite sounding interchangeable.

He added: “It is critical that Bermudians understand these differences as the Government considers the island’s transport future.”

The BTOA has long spoken out against the arrival of unregulated ride-share apps in Bermuda.

The Government, which attempted to introduce ride-share apps last year, argued that these businesses would work in tandem with taxis rather than compete with them.

The BTOA clarified that ride-sharing involved multiple people using the same vehicle to travel along a shared general route.

The group then defined ride-hailing as the use of apps such as Uber or Lyft to connect with private vehicles for hire.

The BTOA said that ride-sharing was unpredictable, lacked privacy and often came without formal regulation, which covered vehicle standards and protections for passengers.

It acknowledged that ride-hailing was convenient, but added that it was associated with increased traffic fatalities, while apps did not offer passengers insurance or pathways for legal help.

In comparison, the BTOA said that taxis were licensed by governments, were legally required to have passenger liability insurance and regulated pricing.

The group further argued that taxis were inspected regularly and were driven by “vetted professionals”.

Mr Tucker warned: “Without modernised legislation and proper oversight, introducing ride-hailing or ride-sharing would expose passengers, operators and the wider public to unnecessary risk.

“Bermuda must avoid repeating the mistakes of other countries that undermined their own taxi industries by adopting new services without first updating the law.”

The group said Bermuda’s legal landscape was not prepared to provide a long-term ride-sharing service.

The group explained that the Motor Car Act 1951 made it illegal for private cars to carry passengers for hire without being licensed as a public service vehicle.

A pilot ride-share programme launched by the Government last year required participants to hold a public service vehicle licence and operate through a Bermudian-based dispatch system.

However, the BTOA claimed that enforcement was weak and worked within an outdated framework that could not keep up with modern advancements.

Mr Tucker went on to call taxi drivers “ambassadors to the island” who helped extend the hospitality of the island to visitors.

He added: “Our industry has invested decades into building a safe, reliable and professional service.

“Any future transport solutions must protect, not erode those standards.”

The Government has been approached for comment.