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Plates & unfair competition top list of taxi operators’ complaints

Hon. Vanterpool speaking with a taxi operator after the meeting held last evening at the Noel Lloyd Park. Photo: Aneka Edwards/VINO
A section of the crowd. Photo: VINO
A section of the crowd. Photo: VINO
From left to right: Permanent Secretary (ag) with the Communications and Works Minister, Arlene Smith-Thompson; Hon. Vanterpool; Commissioner Christopher and Blyden. Photo: VINO
From left to right: Permanent Secretary (ag) with the Communications and Works Minister, Arlene Smith-Thompson; Hon. Vanterpool; Commissioner Christopher and Blyden. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Competition between taxi and shuttle operators, underselling fares, cutting tours, the need for new uniforms and taxi drivers being granted two licenses were just some of the grievances aired last evening, Monday January 9, 2012 at the Noel Lloyd Action Movement Park by taxi operators during a meeting with Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool.

Over 50 operators were in attendance with several requesting that the policy of issuing two licenses to taxi operators be remedied as soon as possible.

“The law that is on the books right now that bar taxi drivers from receiving a second taxi plate must be revoked immediately. I am certain that I have the backing of most taxi drivers here this evening...allow two plates for each taxi drivers in the Virgin Islands,” one driver stated.

Meanwhile, another taxi driver complained of the booking system at the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport where “five men [are] controlling the port of entry”.

“How the rest of the taxi drivers are going to earn as dollar. Tell me what the rest of us are going to do when you spend three four hours up there, five planes come in and you are number one but you can’t get a job because of the booking system. They need to get rid of it, next in line,” he charged.

Short-changing tourists during tours was also raised at the meeting. According to a concerned taxi driver, who indicated his passion for the job, some operators take $20 per passenger for a 2 ½ hour tour but instead would rush it to only 1 1/2 hours.

Another driver enquired if the BVI Tourist Board and the cruise ship industry give tourists the price to take taxi around the VI.

“When they come off the ship and you give them the price of what the taxi is...you tell them $8 and the cruise ship industry tell them $6 so it make we look like liars,” he said.

The fact that some taxi operators “undersell” themselves for a hustle is frustrating, another taxi operator added.

“We need to be disciplined, Government put rules in place...every day is a hustle. Some taxi drivers, who are not in an Association, drop their fare just to get a dollar. I have asked the Tourist Board what is the status of this,” the operator disclosed.

Appearance wise, yet another taxi operator stated that the shirts are too drab. “The intention was good for the uniforms...just like how Minster Walwyn is advocating for a national folk song, can we come up with a national folk uniform that represents the integrity of the Virgin Islands (VI).”

To the amusement of the crowd, the operators said the shirts make them look “like people working at a cassava mill”, and added “Let us redesign the shirt. The new shirt should be more colourful and Nature’s Little Secret should be on them.”

After listening to the operators’ concerns, Hon. Vanterpool promised to work speedily on some on the issues in which he described as “quick wins”. He also revealed he will be checking out the ports in Road Town and West End and license plates and how they can be reviewed.

There are currently, 538 licensed taxi drivers in the Virgin Islands of which 369 are considered to be active, while 169 are inactive since 2004, Hon. Vanterpool stated.

Additionally, records indicate that there are 40 active livery permits out of 71 permits.

Minister Vanterpool also admitted that many individuals have applied for licenses and permits hence the issuance is on hold and he has 142 applications sitting on his desk.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Lorna Christopher warned the operators that it would not be business as usual when it comes to renewing taxi/livery permits.

“There are going to be penalties, and one of that is going to be suspension. So persons who are doing what they are not supposed to be doing, please be guided because at some point we have suspension, we have monetary fines and the ultimate thing is where you get your permits taken away,” she stated.

Marvin Blyden, Chairman of the Taxi and Livery Commission also addressed the crowd.

Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith; Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie Lettsome; 5th district representative Hon. Dolores Christopher and 6th district representative Alvera Maduro-Caines attended the meeting.

11 Responses to “Plates & unfair competition top list of taxi operators’ complaints”

  • RK (10/01/2012, 09:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The need becomes a greed
    • hi (10/01/2012, 11:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      with thoes taxi people what ever you do they still complain
    • billy b (10/01/2012, 11:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Instead of chasing after the money, these taxi drivers need to chase after some training so that they can stop talk a bunch au hogwash to the tourists while they touring. The nonsense you does hear these taxi drivers tell the tourist dem, you duz want to come out of your vehicle and hit dem one clout. Boy Mark you have yuh hand full. Obama went in the white house with a black head of hair, three and a half years later, all his salt catching up with his peppers. Watch out Mark, you might have to dye your scalp 4 times a week instead of one. Dont let dem people mek you show how much grey hair yuh have buddy, take it easy.
      • Fatness (11/01/2012, 01:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I love your respond Billy B. I catch a good laugh off of it, I second you notion.
  • ann (10/01/2012, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    deeds dam taxi man den always bawling bout some crap...suckteeth
    • say it aint so (10/01/2012, 22:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      yea Fraser spoil them and they turn around like a snake and bite him...so dawn ungrateful set of people....
  • Competition (10/01/2012, 11:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If another taxi can offer a fare lower than yours, you need to rethink your business. I don't recall the taxi tariffs being presented as a MINIMUM charge, but rather the OFFICIAL MAXIMUM rate. Take this as a wake up call to improve your service.
  • Pasty Rake (10/01/2012, 16:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    taxi men and ladies plays a critical role in the Tourism product they should be supported by all of us.
  • big john (10/01/2012, 21:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    mark boss you aint know what you getting in making promises to these taxi men dem
  • south sea (11/01/2012, 12:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    deeds taxi drivers mek dey dog sick!
  • Vijay (06/03/2012, 09:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    In response to Tim, I guess becsuae most drivers are independents and do not work for a company. Unfortunately this report highlights Galway but it follows on from other reports of racism experienced within the trade by either other drivers or members of the public, in Portlaoise, Drogheda, Dublin and Cork. No doubt it is an issue elsewhere. I think the issue of racism does not serve taxi drivers well. The solution is for the trade to up its standards and for the regulator to withdraw licences from drivers engaging in discriminatory practices.Further it is not an issue exclusive to taxi drivers as illustrated by the practice of members of the public picking out non-black drivers. Imagine how that feels to the driver concerned.


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