Uber officially launched its service in Barbados last Tuesday with a press event at the Hilton Barbados, introducing its ride-hailing platform and related offerings to members of the media alongside specially invited guests.
The management team outlined three main services being introduced to the market. The first, Uber Taxi, allows passengers to book rides to their preferred destinations.
The second offering, Uber Reserve, enables users to schedule rides up to 90 days in advance or as close as 30 minutes before pickup. The third service, Uber Hourly, lets passengers book a driver by the hour.
According to Uber’s representatives, these services are designed to provide travellers with greater flexibility — particularly visitors requiring airport transfers or those wishing to tour the island.
When news of Uber’s arrival first broke, it was met with serious concern from stakeholders in the local taxi industry, who feared that if the service extended to privately registered drivers, it could undercut their earnings. In response, Uber clarified that the service would be restricted to government-registered taxi drivers and would operate in accordance with existing legislation.
During the presentation, the company emphasised its 30-plus safety features, the possibility of collaboration between its safety teams and The Barbados Police Service, and ongoing discussions with the government, though no formal details have yet been made public.
Several local companies have already established a presence in this sector. Home-grown brand PickUp Barbados’ regional manager Hannah Gill told Barbados TODAY: “We currently have about 600 drivers registered with PickUp. Every year we’ve seen the ride volume increase, which means more work for the taxi community.” Another local option, BimRide, also already offers the three services Uber aims to launch.
For now, fears that Uber’s entry might edge out traditional taxi drivers appear to have been temporarily eased. Yet, beneath the polished rollout, questions remain: Is there enough room in the market for all these players? Can Barbados sustain multiple ride-hailing platforms?
Uber has reportedly signed up 400 drivers in a short space of time, nearly 70 per cent of PickUp Barbados’ driver base, despite PickUp having operated for five years longer.
With Adrian Smiley Bailey, president of the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-Op Society Ltd., explaining that the organisation is reportedly developing its own app, how will these services set themselves apart from one another?
As Uber prepares for its full public rollout, much remains uncertain, and what was likely intended as an illuminating launch may instead have left Barbados with more questions than answers.
The post Room for debate as Uber enters Barbados appeared first on Barbados Today.
