A digital transport service has been developed in an attempt to address longstanding problems encountered by customers accessing taxi services.

Randy Broadbelt, of the Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association, said BTOA Connect is part of an initiative by the body to improve the industry.

Mr Broadbelt said: “This service was developed as part of our ‘Connecting Bermuda: Driving Progress’ initiative and is designed to resolve longstanding issues faced by customers trying to access local transport services.

“BTOA Connect allows direct access to professional taxi operators via mobile and web platforms, eliminating the need for traditional dispatch systems and ensuring a more efficient, reliable customer experience.

“We believe this development marks a significant shift in how transport services are delivered in Bermuda.”

BTOA Connect, which is due to launch on Sunday, is promoted as “Bermuda’s first purpose-built, driver-led digital dispatch and booking platform”.

The service is available via the internet, an app or concierge portal which the BTOA says will reduce the need to rely on phone-based dispatchers that often leave customers waiting on the line for extended periods of time.

However, phone bookings are still available.

BTOA Connect is described as a unified digital platform that includes a web-based customer booking portal for pre-arranged and on-demand taxi bookings, a driver mobile app for managing bookings and a concierge transport platform for hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and tourism partners to book taxis for their clients.

Mr Broadbelt explained how the service was unique from others on the island.

He said: “To put it simply, BTOA Connect is Bermuda’s first unified and fully automated transport platform built by the industry, for the industry. It is owned and operated by taxi operators and owners.

“Unlike existing services such as Hitch, BTA [Dispatching], Bermuda Central Dispatch or Ride.bm centralised dispatch model, BTOA Connect is not limited to a single app or contact point.

“It's a multi-access platform designed to meet customers where they are, digitally or otherwise.

“While platforms like Hitch rely primarily on a smartphone app and BTA on a centralised call centre, BTOA Connect enables multiple booking options. There is the website booking portal, customer login portal, concierge and commercial partner booking portal, the future-ready customer app and traditional phone booking.“

He said the decentralised booking structure ensured customers have access to reliable taxi services that cater to their needs.

From the driver’s perspective, it is “equally progressive”, he added, saying they receive pre-arranged jobs from a variety of customer-facing channels.

He said: “That means greater efficiency, broader opportunity and more equitable job distribution across the industry.

“In short, BTOA Connect is the first transport solution in Bermuda to bring together technology, flexibility and industry empowerment under one platform.”

The taxi association announced just over a year ago it was planning to create its own dispatch service and called on its members to leave existing dispatches that host ride-sharing.

A pilot ride-sharing programme was approved by the Government last March along with the implementation of the first fare increase in ten years.

Other taxi services have been approached for comment.