Taxi operators launch ride-hailing app

Taxi operators on Wednesday rolled out their own ride-hailing app after months of planning and support from government and industry stakeholders.

After voicing resistance to Uber’s entry into the transit mix, the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co‑Op Society Ltd unveiled Zail Barbados.

President of the co‑op, Adrian Smiley Bailey, said the move was not a reactionary one but the product of months of planning aimed at protecting the interests of drivers.

“Today, this is a landmark for the Bridgetown Co‑op Taxi Society Limited,” he said at the launch held at Copacabana Beach Club.

“This was not a knee‑jerk reaction. This is almost six months of work,” he added, noting that the idea originated three years ago.

Bailey said there were about 4 500 taxis operating in Barbados, though not all were individually owned. He stressed that the power to block Uber’s success rested with local operators. “If Barbadians feel so upset about Uber coming into Barbados, it’s simple. If we do not want Uber, if no taxi operator joins up with Uber, Uber has to go. It’s simple.”

Uber Taxi was launched last week at the Hilton Barbados Resort insisting that it will be operated only by registered taxi drivers.

Bailey however denounced the launch as “disrespectful” to the industry. “Uber launched at the Hilton last Tuesday with everybody who were stakeholders . . . . Uber cannot move people around in Barbados by plane. They can only be moved by taxis,” he said.

“I don’t blame Uber. I blame the franchise owners in Barbados who are all Barbadians. We were not invited.”

Bailey disclosed that Prime Minister Mia Mottley had established a stakeholder group to address the situation: “As the prime minister said, she’s all for innovation, but she’s not going to support disrespect.”

The co‑op, which has 126 members and about 170 operators, developed the Zail Barbados app to serve both residents and visitors. The app was designed for every taxi in Barbados and placed no restrictions on drivers.

“There’s no constraint. You can work with Zail and any apps that are in Barbados,” he said, adding that all taxis operating on Zail must be accredited and screened before registering.

Zail intends to target the domestic market first, with special arrangements being explored for university and college students as well as the elderly, Bailey said. He also noted that despite an initial dip after fare increases, ridership had since stabilised, with spikes during major events such as Crop Over.

The current fare structure took effect on January 7, 2023, the first increase since March 2008.

Lead developer of the Zail Barbados app, Reymar Gooding, said the platform was built to comply with local regulations governing taxi fares and to ensure fair earnings for drivers. He explained that the app, which will open to the public in November, allows passengers to book rides in real time or in advance, with options to pay by cash, credit card or debit card. Registration for drivers is already open online.

Gooding said the system would also provide digital receipts and real-time earnings tracking for operators. “We actually have a very low subscription payment model. We don’t take a percentage of your earnings, so as you grow, it’s a very low operating cost for you to use the system.”

He added that the app’s features are comparable to other ride-hailing services but designed specifically for the Barbadian market. Over 100 drivers have already registered, and training sessions are expected to begin next week before the official launch later in November.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb