EDITOR, The Tribune.

LET’S formalise the Rideshare industry.

The Ministry of Energy and Transport has sent out a public notice to warn residents that Ride Share apps are illegal. It is not the first such notice.

However, in addition to these period advisories, it is well past time for us to regularise what is both an established industry around the world, and so desperately needed in The Bahamas.

Many Bahamians are fortunate to have travelled abroad to places near and far. Every city we visit of comparable size to Nassau has domestic taxi service or ride share apps or both.

Bahamian taxis – at least in New Providence - cater primarily to the lucrative tourist markets. They are not interested in providing domestic taxi service other than perhaps rides from the airport. It has been this way for decades since the demise of the once popular meter cab services.

The situation has left a massive gap in our public transportation system that for years has been filled with scores of ‘hackers’ and now the electronic app-based ride shares services. Given the persistent demand, there will be those who will step in to fill it.

As a country we should be taking concrete steps to engage all relevant stakeholders – of course including the existing taxi plate holders – to forge a way to introduce a properly regulated and licenced ride share service industry. It would require proper insurance, verification of driver suitability and protocols for addressing customer complaints. It would also provide caveats to protect the interests of current taxi plate holders from intrusion into their core market.

There is a way to get this done to the benefit of all involved.

MARLON S JOHNSON

Nassau,

April 25, 2025.