The hackney cab, better know as a surrey, has been a part of the Bahamian tourism product since the 1800s and according to tourism officials over the last 50 years it has been a signature Bahamian tourism trademark.
In an effort to ensure that form of transportation is preserved, approximately 20 surrey operators assembled at the BCPOU Hall on Thursday to take part in the Bahamas Surrey Driver & Operators Seminar.
The one-day seminar was designed to allow surrey drivers and Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Transport officials the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the industry, while improving and creating a stronger and better awareness of surrey operators in the Bahamas.
Officials and operators used the opportunity to examine the Hackney Cab Act to determine the relevance of those rules and regulations in a modern Bahamas.
Areas looked at included animal care, dress codes and appearance, and proper training and insurance.
Road Traffic Controller Jack Thompson said the Hackney Cab Act, which governs the daily operations of surrey drivers, has been around since 1909 and will be reviewed along with other measures to improve the tourism product.
“We seek to review the Hackney Act in an effort to formulate recommendations to cause the act to be more relevant to the present time,” Mr. Thompson said. “We also seek to review this component of the [tourism] product with a view of improving the service that we give to our visitors.”
According to tourism officials, Thursdayﾒs seminar was important because over the years the hackney cab has been a pillar in the local tourism industry, and was said to have graced the cover of numerous international tourism magazines as a uniquely Bahamian attraction.
Senior Director at the Ministry of Tourism Angela Cleare said her ministry pumps millions of dollars into the sector annually and expects to see returns, but that can only happen if everyone involved in the nationﾒs number one industry provides superior service.
President of the Horse and Carriage Association Winston Woodside said he was excited about the seminar and believes that it will greatly benefit not only the operators, but the tourism sector as a whole.
He said operators took the opportunity to address the issue of pricing; something he feels is long overdue. Apart from that, he too agreed that the Hackney Act must be revised.
Mr. Woodside also believes that the rest period for the animals should be cut from two hours to one. He explained that it would allow tourists who may come in port at midday the opportunity to go on a ride.
As it stands now such a long rest period in the middle of the day is not only doing a disservice to drivers, but visitors and the industry, he said.
“The act should make provisions for rainy days because if it rains in the morning and stops by mid-day, we should be allowed to forgo the mandatory rest period and allowed to work,” Mr. Woodside said. “How do they expect us to make any money?”
Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin, who attended the seminar, agreed that it is important to preserve this vital tourism attraction.
The minister said Bahamians must safeguard this attraction and she believes one way to do that is through encouraging Bahamians and other residents to use the surreys.
“It is important in this competitive world that surrey drivers stay ahead with all of the challenges that come with a competitive world,” Minister Hanna-Martin said.
By: Stephen Gay, The Bahama Journal
