Uber will have to play by Barbados’ rules if it wants to operate on the island.
Transport and Works Minister Santia Bradshaw, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said that any rideshare company entering the market must obey local transport laws.
Only registered taxis with official government permits are allowed to carry passengers for pay, she explained.
This means private car owners cannot legally offer Uber rides in Barbados. Bradshaw also made clear that Uber or any similar app must respect the official taxi rates set by the government.
The comments come as Uber continues to explore small island markets, where local transport systems are already tightly regulated.
In Barbados, taxis are licensed through the Transport Authority, which sets fares and ensures that each driver displays an identification card. Vehicles carry special “Z” license plates, and drivers must pass inspections before they can operate.
Visitors often find Barbados taxis more expensive than in larger countries, but the high fares reflect the cost of fuel, maintenance, and strict regulation. Many drivers rely on repeat business and personal arrangements with hotels or regular customers.
Uber’s business model, which lets private cars operate at flexible prices, would disrupt this system.
While some travelers and younger Barbadians welcome the idea of more choice and app-based booking, licensed taxi operators have warned that allowing private cars would threaten their livelihoods.
So far, Barbados has taken a firm line. Any company wanting to offer rides through an app must partner with licensed taxi drivers, not replace them.
This approach follows the pattern of several Caribbean islands — such as Jamaica and Trinidad — where Uber has launched limited services that use existing licensed taxis rather than private vehicles.
Bradshaw’s message was clear: new technology is welcome, but the law comes first. Barbados intends to modernize transport on its own terms, not hand over control to foreign platforms.
Source: Barbados GIS.
