Taxi drivers must get used to competition urged Senator David Burch in a spirited debate during the passing of a bill to regulate the minibus industry.

After listening to United Bermuda Party Senator Gina Spence-Farmer outline the struggles of the cab drivers Sen. Burch said it was ironic a labour government had to point out the benefits of a free market.

Sen. Spence-Farmer had questioned how many minibuses would be allowed to be on the road as she called for duty-free relief on vehicle parts and fuel concessions.

She said there was a need for a national transport plan which taxi drivers could back.

But Sen. Burch said: “Market forces will drive how many minibuses you have.”

And he said the UBP which represented the captains of industry was still favouring an un-level playing field.

He pointed out that the Senate had debated the National Transportation Management Plan of 2000 but the UBP seemed to be asking for something new.

Taxi drivers needed to manage their businesses much better, said Sen. Burch.

“It is private enterprise. It is about business management.

“It’s just like Trimingham’s did a bad job of managing and went out of business — you must manage, you must use the tools.

“Why do we, outside every single solitary supermarket, find gypsy cabs? I think it is because taxi drivers on the Island are not taking granny home with the groceries.”

He said the majority of cabbies had bought into the GPS concept and that of competition.

Government had to listen to the cries of the electorate as well as visitors who wanted a better transport service but the Opposition criticised every single initiative said Sen. Burch.

On the fast ferries he said one Opposition member had said it was their idea while others had criticised it when the PLP Government brought in the ferries.

“There is a shrill cry from the people saying you must improve the transport industry.”

And he said the new minibuses would be subjected to the same market forces that everyone else had to cope with.

Opposition Senator Bob Richards said Government’s transport plan was six years old and in need of amendments.

He wondered why Government had not used the data from GPS to make adjustments to the plan.

It was a nonsense to say there was a free competition in transport said Sen. Richards when Government controls the supply of cabs and the fare price.

“It cannot be a free market.”

He said it was unfair to have one element of the transport market heavily regulated and the other not.

“It sounds like a plan for disaster — certainly for confusion.”

He said taxis had not been given a promised fare rise by Government.

“They seem to be penalised for the temerity of going against this minister.”

Attorney General Phil Perinchief said the taxi industry was split between pro and anti-GPS drivers but the customer was demanding a much better service. He said drivers were refusing to pick up in certain areas even in daylight.

Government Senator Davida Morris said a minibus service would be a boon for the Paget/Warwick area to get more people into the ferries and off the roads.

She said it would cut costs for those who couldn’t afford cab fares.

And she said her own mother had struggled to find a cab driver willing to do a grocery run.

“Why should people have to suffer because of the choice those operators have made?”

Backing the bill Government Senator Kim Wilson said more minibuses were better for the environment as it would lead to fewer vehicles on the road.

Sen. Wayne Caines said the Motor Car Amendment Act, under debate, would bring much-needed structure to the minibus service.

He said minibuses fill gaps in the public transport system when buses and taxis are not available.

But he said some inequalities have cropped up and the law would bring a level playing field by bringing in permits.

He said there were currently ten minibuses licensed and on the road.

Some minibuses would be licensed to operate from 6 a.m. to midnight while others would be given the chance to operate 24/7.