Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to provide this Honourable House with a further update on Bermuda's ridesharing programme, launched on 10 June 2026 to expand transportation options and advance the Government's transportation modernisation agenda.
Mr. Speaker,
When this Government introduced regulated ridesharing, we did so with a clear principle in mind: taxi first, ridesharing when needed.
The policy was designed not to displace Bermuda's taxi operators, but to complement their service by addressing transportation gaps during peak periods of demand. By providing additional capacity when it is most needed, we are helping to ensure that both residents and visitors have reliable access to transportation, particularly during evenings, weekends, public holidays, major events, and other times when residents and visitors may experience difficulty securing transportation.
I am pleased to advise this Honourable House that the early results are positive and indicate that the introduction of regulated ridesharing is achieving its intended purpose.
Mr. Speaker,
Between 10th June and 15th July 2026, Bermuda's ridesharing programme recorded 1,466 rides, averaging approximately 41 rides per day during its first five weeks of operation.
Early adoption was strong, with 220 rides completed during the programme's first six days. By 15th July, cumulative ridership had risen to 1,466 rides, demonstrating sustained growth and increasing public uptake. The highest single-day total was recorded on 11th July, when 105 rides were completed.
Mr. Speaker,
Interest in the programme also continues to grow. To date, approximately 100 applications have been submitted for participation in Bermuda's ridesharing programme. Approximately 30 applicants have been approved, with the remaining applications continuing to move through the required review and processing stages.
While the Ministry is working to process applications efficiently, it is also important that this is done properly. Each application must be reviewed against the established requirements, including Bermuda Police Service vetting, PSV licensing, vehicle inspection, insurance, and other safety and operational standards. This due diligence is essential to protect passengers, support public confidence, and ensure the programme expands responsibly.
Mr. Speaker,
The location data indicates ridesharing activity across Bermuda, including hotels, restaurants, beaches, residential neighbourhoods, Hamilton, Dockyard,
St. George's, the airport, medical facilities, shopping areas and community locations.
This is significant because ridesharing was never intended to serve a single purpose. It was introduced to provide an additional transportation option within Bermuda's broader transport network and to enhance mobility for both visitors and residents.
Mr. Speaker,
For visitors, the data demonstrates that ridesharing is facilitating travel to and from hotels, guest properties, restaurants, beaches, the airport and other key visitor destinations.
At least 268 rides involved identifiable hotels, resorts, guest properties or visitor accommodations. This demonstrates that the programme is already contributing to Bermuda's tourism product and helping to improve the visitor experience.
While the tourism benefits are evident, the data also highlights the value of ridesharing for Bermuda residents.
Usage patterns show activity across Paget, Warwick, Southampton, Devonshire, Smith's, St. George's, Sandys, Somerset, Dockyard and Hamilton, with many rides involving residential roads, neighbourhoods, and everyday destinations.
This confirms that residents are embracing ridesharing as a practical transportation option, using the service for travel to and from homes, medical facilities, shopping areas, restaurants, events and community locations.
Overall, the figures being shared today, Mr. Speaker, present a positive picture of growing adoption and meaningful use of the ridesharing service. These patterns of use demonstrate that ridesharing is already making a measurable impact and fulfilling its intended purpose: expanding transportation
choice and providing a flexible, convenient and accessible service that benefits both residents and visitors throughout Bermuda.
Mr. Speaker,
This is exactly the kind of impact Government intended.
Ridesharing is helping visitors move around the island, while also giving residents another option when they need transport. It is helping to fill gaps, improve access and provide additional capacity where and when it is needed.
Importantly, ridesharing is also supporting Bermuda's taxi industry.
Since launch, ridesharing has completed more than 1,000 passenger movements. These are rides that may otherwise have placed additional pressure on the existing taxi network during busy periods, evenings, weekends, events and high-demand visitor days.
By helping to absorb this additional demand, ridesharing is supporting the wider transportation system and helping to reduce the risk of passengers being left without transport.
Mr. Speaker,
Prior to the introduction of ridesharing, one of the recurring concerns during busy periods was the difficulty some passengers experienced in securing transportation, including long waits or being unable to secure a ride when needed.
Following the launch of ridesharing, the Ministry has not seen the same level of public concern regarding passengers being stranded, experiencing long waits, or being unable to secure transport during peak periods. While this will continue to be monitored, it is an encouraging early indication that the additional ridesharing capacity is helping to ease pressure on the wider transportation network.
This also supports the reputation of Bermuda's taxi industry. Taxis remain the first and central transportation option, while ridesharing provides a regulated supplemental service to help absorb additional demand and reduce the likelihood of negative passenger experiences during high-demand periods.
Mr. Speaker,
The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that ridesharing operates within a regulated and responsible framework.
All ridesharing operators remain subject to Government oversight, including PSV licensing requirements, vehicle inspections, insurance requirements and operational standards established by the Transport Control Department and the Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board.
The Ministry and the Transport Control Department will continue to monitor ride data, operator participation, stakeholder feedback and passenger experience as the programme continues to develop.
Mr. Speaker,
Reliable transportation is fundamental to the quality of life of our residents and to the experience of those who visit our island.
Early results indicate that the ridesharing initiative is gaining traction, with measurable evidence of utilisation. The service is expanding transportation options and providing residents and visitors with greater convenience and flexibility in their travel choices.
This Government remains steadfast in its commitment to modernising Bermuda's transportation network and delivering safe, reliable and accessible transport solutions, practical and improved transport options.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
