The Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport is pleased to provide a positive update on the initial launch of Bermuda’s ridesharing programme. 

In the first six days of operation, ridesharing operators completed 220 rides, with 14 active ridesharing operators participating through the despatcher app platform. The early activity reflects demand for additional, reliable transportation options and demonstrates the important role ridesharing can play in supporting residents, visitors and Bermuda’s wider transportation network. 

Activity grew steadily during the first week, with the strongest demand recorded over the holiday and Carnival weekend. The highest single-day activity was recorded on June 13, when 80 rides were completed. 

Ridesharing represented only 4.12% of overall despatcher app activity during the reporting period. This is an important indicator that the service is operating as intended, providing additional transportation capacity when demand requires it, while taxis continue to remain the priority. 

The location data also shows that ridesharing supported transport needs for visitors and locals alike during the launch period. Trips included activity connected to hotels, guest properties, restaurants, beaches, event locations and key tourism areas, including Hamilton and Front Street, Dockyard, St. George’s and the South Shore. The data also reflects pickups and drop-offs in residential areas and local business districts across the island. This early pattern suggests that ridesharing is helping to provide additional transportation capacity for both visitor-facing and local needs, where and when it is needed most. 

The Hon. Owen K. Darrell, JP, MP, Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, said, “We are very encouraged by the early results. Ridesharing was introduced to complement Bermuda’s existing transportation network, improve transport options for visitors and locals alike, and help ensure that fewer people are left waiting or stranded. These early numbers show that the programme is working, that operators are stepping forward, and that the public is beginning to make use of this new service.”

The early data also shows strong participation by approved ridesharing operators. Over the six-day period, operators completed an average of approximately 15.7 rides per driver, with several operators completing more than 20 rides each. 

Ridesharing operator Keisha Brooks, who completed 28 trips during the first week, said the initiative has been well received by passengers. “Having nearly completed my first week as a rideshare driver in Bermuda, I can confidently say that the initiative has been very well received by the passengers I’ve transported,” said Ms. Brooks. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet and assist a diverse mix of customers, including local residents, guest workers, visitors attending Carnival festivities, and sailors from the Annapolis to Bermuda Race. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many passengers expressing appreciation.” 

Another ridesharing operator, Evandre Smith, said his experience with the programme has also been positive, particularly in assisting visitors. “My experience with the ridesharing programme has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Mr. Smith. “It has been a genuine pleasure interacting with riders, who have mostly been visitors to the island. Many shared that they discovered the app through word of mouth from frontline tourism workers at hotels, restaurants, and outdoor excursion operators. They particularly appreciated how seamless and user-friendly it was to request a ride.”

Mr. Smith also shared an experience that, for him, highlighted the value of the programme. “On the holiday weekend, I picked up a visiting family who had just disembarked from a cruise ship,” he said. “They had been trying unsuccessfully for some time to get a ride from Horseshoe Bay after 9 p.m. and were becoming increasingly concerned. It was already dark at the beach, and they had young children with them. As a Bermudian, I felt proud to provide them with a safe ride back to their cruise ship.” 

The Ministry recognises the important contribution of Bermuda’s taxi industry and continues to view ridesharing as a complementary service designed to strengthen the overall transportation network. Taxis remain a vital part of Bermuda’s transportation system, and the introduction of ridesharing is intended to provide additional capacity, particularly during periods of high demand. 

The Ministry also continues to work closely with key tourism stakeholders, including the Bermuda Tourism Authority, to monitor the impact of ridesharing and gather feedback on how the service is supporting the visitor experience. 

The Bermuda Tourism Authority said, “The Bermuda Tourism Authority is encouraged by passenger response to this transportation initiative. According to exit surveys, 92% of visitors say that the reliability and availability of transportation is important or critically important, yet the gap between expectation and experience remains in double digits at 11.8%. We welcome innovative efforts such as this to address this challenge while supporting the important role taxi operators continue to play as valued ambassadors for Bermuda. 

We will continue to monitor feedback closely as the programme develops.” Minister Darrell added, “This is a positive and practical step forward. The early results are encouraging, but we will continue to monitor the programme carefully, listen to operators, passengers and industry partners, and make adjustments where necessary. Our goal is simple: a stronger, more responsive transportation system for Bermuda.” 

The Ministry thanks the Transport Control Department, approved ridesharing operators, despatching partners, insurers, tourism stakeholders and all those who have supported the implementation of the programme to date. 

The Ministry will continue to provide updates as the ridesharing programme progresses.