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‘Rude’ taxi driver put on blast on FB

A local taxi driver has been put on blast on Facebook for allegedly being rude towards a passenger. This comes as the taxi industry is struggling with its image. Photo: VINO/File
A section of the Facebook post by Sasha Walker. Photo: VINO
A section of the Facebook post by Sasha Walker. Photo: VINO
Director of the Taxi and Livery Commission Mr Dameon Percival has apologised for the alleged behaviour of the taxi driver and has promised to have his office deal with the matter. Photo: VINO/File
Director of the Taxi and Livery Commission Mr Dameon Percival has apologised for the alleged behaviour of the taxi driver and has promised to have his office deal with the matter. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The same day that this news site published a story about some taxi drivers being accused of driving recklessly to maximise on trips whenever cruise ships are in, a woman took to Facebook complaining about the rude and unprofessional conduct of a local taxi driver.

A Sasha Walker complained bitterly on the BVI Community Board on August 29, 2016, alleging that she has had several bad services from taxi drivers on Tortola from since she moved to the Virgin Islands.

Nothing, however, that she has had several good services as well, Walker said Monday morning was not one of them.

Rude taxi driver

“We called for a taxi to pick us up. The guy was rude on the phone saying he doesn't know where we are located. We said we would walk out to the road mouth of the hill and wait.

After waiting 30 mins I decided to flag down another taxi. Upon getting into the taxi the one we called showed up around the corner. We apologised to the second taxi and got into the one we called.

Upon getting into the taxi we called he started yelling at us to the top of his lungs. I explained to him that I was waiting for 30mins and cannot afford to be late to work.”

Walker continued that she tried to be as polite as possible but the taxi driver continued to be rude towards her.

“Upon reaching work I asked him for a receipt for the ride. I handed him $20.00 and he gave me $1.00 change. Normally from my house to work costs $5.00 per person. I then again asked him for a receipt where he rudely told me he's not giving me a receipt. I asked him again that I need it. He then drove off almost running over my foot.”

Walker said the experience was by far the worst possible treatment she has ever had. “I'd never take Taxi 325 white and green taxi ever again,” she concluded.

Is posting complaints on FB any good?

An Ian Clark then advised Walker that “things will only improve if you make a complaint to the right authority. Posting here will unfortunately not do that. Contact Dameon Percival and make an official complaint.”

Posting on the BVI Community Board, however, seemed to have done some justice for Walker as Director of the Taxi and Livery Commission Mr Dameon Percival responded to her post, saying “I humbly apologise for this behaviour. I will have my office contact you so we can deal with this matter.

Many other persons expressed that they were sorry that Walker had to go through such an experience.

34 Responses to “‘Rude’ taxi driver put on blast on FB”

  • one eye (31/08/2016, 09:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah
  • Di Ras (31/08/2016, 09:12) Like (39) Dislike (1) Reply
    Some of them needs to work with hogs. They act like you begging them for a ride when you call them. And trust me he were giving me my right change too. A set of old grumpy men BVI taxi have. Ayo can do better man!
    • Pigs can drive (31/08/2016, 11:10) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
      I was about to say some of them can be real hoggish. This lady's complaint is not the first, nor will it be...WHY? because nobody is taking it seriously.....the commission is a complete waste of time.
  • wize up (31/08/2016, 09:12) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    keep hope alive for the useres of public transportation BUT if you get the chance please take a look at the cartoon(is H.E using the "high grade")
  • tola (31/08/2016, 09:37) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them to greedy and don't even help you with your bags
  • Wendy (31/08/2016, 09:56) Like (45) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks for going public with your complaint. I have had my share of poor service from the backstage in West End. One, Mr Barry is legendary among others which includes a female driver. I do not understand why licenses,photo and rates are not required to be diisplayed
    • yes sah (31/08/2016, 11:02) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      Especially Mr. Barry!
      • the rock (31/08/2016, 13:17) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
        Caucasians are barry favorite, u should see him around them!
        • Wendy (31/08/2016, 18:49) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
          Yes and when you consider that the difference between his face and midnight is eleven hours and fifty nine minutes,you just have to shrug and shake your head.
          • bustcartels (04/03/2017, 15:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            Tortola residents and tourists alike are victimized by a cartel of lazy and greedy taxi drivers that rip off customers. It's time to bust the cartel. Anybody ever heard of uber or lyft? All who read this please contact those companies to get the ball rolling. And to those who say the taxi commission will be opposed to competition, we say the hell with them. It would be like saying that you should not have law enforcement because the mob opposes it.
  • YEA YEA (31/08/2016, 10:05) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    The commish is a complete waste. Yawn!
  • sometimes passenger (31/08/2016, 10:13) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    funny how alot of them don't have change either so you wind up giving them a load of money including the tip
    cause they 'dont' have change'.....naughty. please don't go 'new york' on us.....
  • LCS (31/08/2016, 11:28) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need a Consumer Advocacy body in the Territory.
  • Michigan Tourist (31/08/2016, 11:32) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sounds like it may be time for UBER service to start up in the BVI. A little competition works wonders !!!!
    • Wendy (31/08/2016, 13:27) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      That would be wonderful...UBER is the most wonderful and efficient..amazing service ...no money transaction with the driver and tracking from the time he is dispatched until arrival at your destination.
      • Yessss (31/08/2016, 22:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        I wish someone would start a UBER service here. I bet those taxi drivers would be out of business. When I was in Atlanta, I took UBER everywhere. ÜBER is the way to go.
  • BVI taxi driver (31/08/2016, 11:54) Like (4) Dislike (41) Reply
    Trying to clear the air they a two sides to a story and the customer Ms Sasha Walker needs to tell the honest truth and stop I repeat stop trying to make persons look bad after her conducting her nasty behavior to the driver that was very respectable to the customer she's just like the American swimmers who portray nasty behavior and try too cove up by telling lies come on be honest
    • Stoppppp pleaseeeee (31/08/2016, 12:34) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply

      I believe Ms. Walker 100000000000%. Some of you Taxi Drivers are rude, unprofessional and thieves. I had a run in with the famous Mr. B****. He is one of the worse.

    • Online Now (31/08/2016, 13:41) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      If you are the same one who responded to the Facebook message, I will say that you lack any credibility in your portrayal of events. So say there are two sides as much as you like but wrong is wrong.
  • True (31/08/2016, 11:58) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have been saying this all along these taxi man are the worst here , no matter and disrepectful all because they have here they no nothing will be done , the authority who are in charge are a complete waste of time do that why the taxi man them keep behaving so with ppl ... time to demand good customer service from these taxi man or suspend their licence, disgracing the BVI ... check the waterfront taxi man them is real hogs not to mention west and!!
  • rude ? (31/08/2016, 14:41) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    my mom takes taxi too, will it be rude of me to crack him a slap for my mom if he tries that to her ?
    • OF Course (31/08/2016, 18:29) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      My mom also take taxis. Anyone of them mistreat her or be rude to her in anyway, I will shut his/her A&& down. Nobody messes with my mom.
  • fish (31/08/2016, 14:55) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    His license needs to be revoke pronto? he is not the only one they to dam rude
  • Lets do it! (31/08/2016, 16:13) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let's bring in an Uber service and see them cuss and moan about that. If some drivers cant do their own job, lets find someone that can. Uber is a brilliant service that is teaching the taxi industry that its not all your way and they need a massive wake up call.
    • $$$$ (01/09/2016, 10:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Someone should start a Uber service.
      Yes, über is a safe and brilliant service. Someone please start a über service on Tortola. I will use the service to get back and forth from work and to go shopping. I am sick of dealing with some of these rude taxi drivers with their stink attitudes.





  • west (31/08/2016, 16:54) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    Poor mr Barry lol
    • laughing (31/08/2016, 18:33) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Poor mr. """""? Poor customers who ride in his taxi. He need to try another profession. He lacks people skills.
  • Halo (31/08/2016, 17:46) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Visitors judge BVIslanders by their experiences with taxi drivers in Tola. This is why BVIslanders are viewed as being rude and uneducated by the rest of the world. Change is necessary!
  • the way it is (31/08/2016, 20:35) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    They are not taxi men.. They are drivers of taxi vehicles.. My girlfriend took a taxi and the old guy with white beard and a funny religious cap put talk to her about relationship with her. I so mad all now!!!! Is this why they get taxi license? To prey on women who call them for the service? I waiting patiently....
    • nan (01/09/2016, 10:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      When you are looking for a free ride you get advances all the time, that is the name of the game for getting in a strangers car and think they are not going to ask your personal business. BUT...when you are paying for Taxi service, they are NOT supposed to be asking you anything, just deliver you to your destination that you PAID for! If you pay for a taxi and the driver starts asking you personal things, just stop him immediately and tell him you owe him nothing of the sort and then report him. Take his plate # and color of the taxi, time and place of the occurrence. You owe them nothing but their fare...period!
  • 2grand (31/08/2016, 20:41) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    while nothimg beats time and experience some of these old yes old drivers need to retire. there should be a mandatory age for exit.some feel a sense of intitlement and everything revolves around them who benefits more than them in the bvi. contributes the least and reaps the most. time to retire enjoy your life wife farm go on a cruise etc the virgins islands for all ah we not you alone . feel free to like or dislike some opinions are realities.stop worshiping the mighty dollar soon it will be nothing but trash. live before you or your money dies. REAL TALK
    • Phoenix (01/09/2016, 10:49) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      They all bankrupt of life, thats why they so rude, no idea of how the world outside little Tola works, never been anywhere. The Government should take away all their licenses and bring in some taxi drivers from London and New York to promote these islands.
  • BVI Taxi Assoc. 325 (01/09/2016, 20:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I had a similar experience with him. He's very rude. When I told him I find he's being rude, he took me back to my pick up location.
  • wow (04/09/2016, 14:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    No wonder he got the nickname "bottom up"


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