Taxi drivers are questioning the need for a bill of rights outlining how they should behave - claiming that most guidelines are already adhered to.

And some suggested that a code of conduct should be directed not at themselves but at rude customers.

Earlier this week it was announced that Government plans to draft a bill of rights based on the Taxi Rider's Bill of Rights posted in cabs in New York City issued by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.

“I don't have a problem with a bill of rights because if a rider requests me to do something I don't have a problem with it,” said taxi driver Robert Trew.

Guidelines likely to appear in the bill of rights include 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.

Calvin Burgess said he already adheres to many of the rules set out for taxi drivers.

“Bermuda's a different place, it's not fast paced like New York City,” he said.

“People are looking for talk and conversation and even if they're not, I'm always polite and my car is always kept clean. Being polite to the people benefits us.”

Being polite to customers also comes naturally for Irving Raynor. He said: “I already do all these things. If the radio is bothering someone I would turn it down if they asked.”

Howard Joynes said: “If you're handling the public you must be polite to the public; it's natural.”

But he added that passengers also need to be polite in return.

One taxi driver, who wished not to be named, pointed out that some Bermudians don't like air conditioning. He said to allow passengers to “demand” it be turned on would not make cabbies happy.

“A lot of older drivers have arthritis and they'll just tell a passenger that the air conditioner is broken,” he said.

Instead of issuing a bill of rights, he recommended installing a digital “taxi cam” in taxis that would take a snapshot of a passenger as they got in the car. Asking for identification at certain times of night should also be allowed, he said.

He asked: “The list focuses on the rider - what about the taxi driver's rights?”

The customer isn't always right, said one cabbie, who went by the name of Randolph B.

“If you want us to meet these requests then you need to meet our demands,” he said.

“They need to go back and straighten out all the mess there is and then we can go forward and deal with these issues,” he added.

Another cabbie who wished to go unnamed, said Government should draw up its own bill of rights and not take it from another jurisdiction.

“Some of this information can apply but some of it just won't work in Bermuda,” he said.