We recognize International Women’s Day, celebrated yesterday, and the many women across the transportation industry and regulatory community whose work and leadership strengthen the future of mobility.

We are excited to announce our 39th Annual Conference of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) is coming to Las Vegas, Nevada, from September 14th through September 17th, 2026. The theme of our 2026 conference is “AV City: Autonomous Mobility,” reflecting the rapid evolution of automated, connected, and electrified transportation systems and the critical role regulators play in shaping their future.

Las Vegas has always been a city built on bold vision and transformative infrastructure. What began as a desert rail stop evolved into a global tourism and convention capital supported by sophisticated airport operations, intelligent traffic systems, and large-scale event management logistics. Today, Las Vegas stands at the forefront of autonomous mobility. Nevada was the first state in the nation to authorize autonomous vehicle testing, and the region has become a national hub for robotaxi deployment, advanced driver assistance systems, and smart transportation investments.

Like the city itself, mobility in Las Vegas is fast-moving, innovative, and ambitious. However, innovation without governance is incomplete. As shared connected automated electric vehicles scale from pilot programs to broader deployment, regulators face complex and urgent questions involving safety oversight, insurance frameworks, accessibility mandates, workforce transition, fare affordability, sustainability goals, and public trust. These are not theoretical discussions. They are unfolding in real time across jurisdictions around the world.

Some of the topics that we will cover during the conference will include:

• IATR’s Guiding Principles for Robotaxi Testing & Deployment
• Autonomous Vehicle Policy Challenges & Solutions
• The Taxi, For-Hire & Bus Insurance Crisis
• Public Transit Partnerships with Taxis, FHVs and TNCs
• Regulatory Preparedness for Big Events

We are also looking forward to our annual International Regulator “Star Trek”. The full preliminary agenda can be found here.

Registration is now open for active members and associate/industry first-time attendees here. Non-members and other associate/industry partners should reach out to IATR Executive Director Kim Ramkishun or IATR Membership Director Eric Richardson for further information. Sponsorships are also now available, and you can find the sponsorship menu here.

We hope you can join us in Las Vegas in September!

Image: David Brian Mottershead

Legislation designed to open the door to a ride-sharing service was passed by MPs despite calls from members of the Opposition to put it on hold. Government legislators highlighted the importance of the Motor Car (Ride-sharing) Amendment Act 2026 to help fill a gap in the transportation sector.

However, members of the One Bermuda Alliance argued that accountability and enforcement issues needed to be addressed before the Bill could be passed.

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, told the House of Assembly on Friday: “I think everyone is in agreement that transportation availability in this country is a problem.” He said data provided by the Transport Control Department indicated fluctuations around taxi availability throughout the week.

The House heard that the average waiting time for a taxi in 2025 was 37 minutes. Mr Darrell said that the “most shocking” statistic recorded by the TCD last year was that there were 82,284 unanswered requests for taxis.

He shot down criticism from the Opposition about a lack of enforcement within the taxi industry.

Source: The Royal Gazette

Click Here to Read More

Uber's Women-Only Option Goes Nationwide in the US

The new feature is being rolled out nationwide despite an ongoing class action lawsuit against the policy in California, filed by Uber drivers who argue that it is discriminatory against men. Rival ride-hailing company Lyft is also facing a discrimination lawsuit over a similar offering that it introduced nationwide in 2024.

Click Here to Read More

Amazon’s Zoox Expands Robotaxi Testing to Phoenix and Dallas

Amazon’s self-driving unit Zoox plans to start testing its autonomous vehicles in Dallas and Phoenix, the company announced Monday. To start, Zoox will deploy a “small number” of its retrofitted Toyota Highlander SUVs, with a human safety driver behind the wheel, to map the areas before it introduces its toaster-shaped robotaxis, the company said. Dallas and Phoenix will allow Zoox to expose its technology to diverse and challenging weather conditions, as well as more sprawling streets, compared to the dense metro areas it’s been testing in so far.

Click Here to Read More

LAX Aims to Cut Congestion with Major Rideshare Fee Increases

A plan to increase fees for rideshare pickups and drop-offs at Los Angeles International Airport is expected to be approved this week. The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners will meet Tuesday to vote on the proposal, which could more than double access fees for services like Uber, Lyft, taxis, and limos in the coming months. The increase is part of an effort to reduce traffic congestion and encourage future use of the long-awaited automated people mover when it opens, possibly later this year, the Pasadena Star-News reports. If approved, new rideshare fees at LAX would rise to $6 each way as early as April, then jump to $12 for curbside pickup once the people mover starts operating.

Click Here to Read More

Sarnia Mayor Calls for Review of Taxi Bylaw

Sarnia's mayor wants to look at ways of modernizing the city's taxi bylaw. Mike Bradley will bring a motion to Monday's council meeting, requesting a report from staff on ways to "level the playing field" for taxis and other vehicles for hire. Taxi licencing responsibilities transitioned from the Sarnia Police Service to the City of Sarnia in 2024. Bradley said in the past, taxi services "were the only game in town."

Click Here to Read More

The Biggest Risk to Canada’s Economy Nobody Is Talking About: Major Looming Labour Strikes

Over the next 24 months, collective agreements covering tens of thousands of workers across Canada’s federally regulated transportation network are set to expire. These include major bargaining units at CN and CPKC, the country’s two Class I railways; longshore workers at key marine gateways in Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, Halifax, and Saint John; and significant employee groups across Canada’s major airlines and airport authorities.

Click Here to Read More

Bixi Bikes Coming to Dollard-Des-Ormeaux This Summer

Residents of Dollard-des-Ormeaux will soon be able to hop on a BIXI Montreal bike closer to home. The bike-sharing program confirmed it will roll out service in the West Island city this summer, making it the first municipality in the area to get Bixi. About 60 bikes, 30 electric and 30 regular, will be installed at seven stations across the centre and eastern parts of the city. The network expansion is expected to be ready for residents by summer 2026.

Click Here to Read More

Urban Taxi Drivers in Cyprus to Strike on March 10

Urban taxi drivers in Cyprus will go on strike on Tuesday, March 10, from 07:00 in protest over issues affecting the sector. The Pancyprian Coordinating Committee of Urban Taxis said the decision was taken after a letter sent to the relevant ministries on March 4 outlining the sector’s problems received no response. Taxi drivers will gather at 07:30 at the GSP stadium in Nicosia before holding a march to the Ministry of Transport, the House of Representatives and the Presidential Palace.

Click Here to Read More

Mayor of London Says Legislative Change Needed to Address Cross-Border Private Hire Working That Limits Local Regulatory Oversight

The Mayor of London has acknowledged that passengers using private hire booking apps may be matched with drivers licensed outside the capital, limiting Transport for London’s (TfL) ability to regulate or enforce standards. The comments were made in response to a written question from Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari OBE during Mayor’s Question Time on 26 February 2026. Bokhari asked whether TfL had considered advising passengers to ensure their booking is fulfilled by a London-licensed driver and vehicle if they wish to benefit from TfL’s licensing and safety checks.

Click Here to Read More

Judge Strikes Out Taxi Driver’s Fraud Claims against Law Firm

The High Court has struck out a taxi driver’s fraud and harassment claims against a council and its law firm as “totally devoid of merit”. Master Fontaine said she had “no jurisdiction” to impose a civil restraint order on Muhammad Arshad, as sought by Wokingham Council and law firm Weightmans, but would refer the matter to another judge. She said it was “apparent from the procedural history of this matter” that Mr Arshad had “not been able to accept” a successful appeal by the council to the High Court. Mr Arshad was awarded damages of £42,500 for psychiatric injury by Oxford County Court in 2021 after the council suspended and later revoked his Hackney carriage licence.

Click Here to Read More

Maharashtra Govt Cancels Provisional Licences of Rapido, Uber, Ola Bike Taxi Services over Illegal Operations

The Maharashtra government has cancelled the provisional licences of several bike taxi service providers operating in Mumbai and surrounding areas after finding that they were running services without complying with the prescribed regulations. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik informed the Legislative Council on Monday that strict action will be taken against companies violating transport norms.

Click Here to Read More

One-Third of Hong Kong Taxis Fitted with E-Payment Terminals Ahead of April Rule

About one-third of Hong Kong taxis, including all taxi fleets, have installed integrated payment terminals ahead of a new regulation requiring electronic payment in taxis that will take effect next month, the Transport Department said on Monday. Starting April 1, all taxi drivers must provide at least two electronic payment methods, including one QR-code payment option and one non-QR-code method.

Click Here to Read More

South Africa: Taxi Services Suspended in Nyanga As Tensions Soar

The Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) says the shutdown was made following a series of shootings and violent incidents. CATA stressed that the aim of the shutdown is to protect both drivers and passengers. Tensions linked to the CATA come after several taxis in Nyanga were set alight in what authorities believe was an arson attack. The incident is believed to be linked to ongoing disputes within the taxi industry over control of lucrative commuter routes in the Cape Flats. Taxi violence in the area has periodically involved clashes between rival associations such as CATA and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA), with shootings, killings and the torching of vehicles reported over the years.

Click Here to Read More

Image: EFE/Isaac Esquivel

An Uber driver taps accept and sees earnings show up quickly, while expenses quietly wait. A new study by the Inter-American Development Bank, conducted with Uber across eight countries, shows that most drivers have debt and no social security, exchanging quick pay for little stability.

The phone lights up with the next ride request. Accept. Another small number pops up, clear and bright, while the smell of gasoline fills the car and the day’s calculations start again. It’s not dramatic, just steady. This is the everyday reality behind the Inter-American Development Bank’s data.

Most Uber drivers in Latin America face economic challenges, carry debt, and don’t contribute to social security, according to a study by Uber and the Inter-American Development Bank across eight countries. The bank found that 88 percent of drivers lack financial security. 54% blamed unsafe working conditions, 34% cited economic pressure, and 75% said they live with debt.

The problem is that the platform feels like it’s constantly moving. Money comes fast, and work is always there. But the report shows security is weak. Only 30 percent of Uber drivers in the region were paying into a pension system when surveyed. The 2024 study gathered data from over 13,700 people in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

Source: Latin America Post

Click Here to Read More

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2026:

Weekly news snippets

Access to the membership database

Videos and files from recent conferences

Discounted rates for future conferences, and more!

Renew your membership at http://www.iatr.global or email info@iatr.global for any questions!