Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Taxi Operators Stimulus initiative benefitted 145 Taxi Operators- Hon Rymer

- COVID-19 Transportation Stimulus Package ends Friday, February 26, 2021
Some 145 Taxi Operators and their families have been positively affected by the COVID-19 Transportation Stimulus Package, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) has revealed. Photo: GIS/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) said the initiative’s grant enabled the other sister islands within the Territory to participate. Photo: Facebook/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) said the initiative’s grant enabled the other sister islands within the Territory to participate. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Some 145 Taxi Operators and their families have been positively affected by the COVID-19 Transportation Stimulus Package, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) has revealed.

Premier and Minister of Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in his statement on Phase Two of the Economic Plan ‘Social Protection and Economic Stimulation in COVID-19’ mentioned that his Government launched the stimulus package for Taxi Operators who were unable to work due to COVID-19.

“The City Park and Ride Free Shuttle Service initiative is an excellent opportunity for Taxi Operators to take care of themselves and their families,” Premier Fahie had said.

Evolution of initiative

Honourable Rymer recognised the evolution of the initiative, which comes to an end on Friday, February 26, 2021.

“First we started with the ‘City Park and Ride Shuttle Service’ during the 2019 Christmas season. Then the COVID-19 pandemic came to the shores of the BVI. In an effort to assist Taxi Operators we were able to partner with the Social Security Board, through the Premier’s Office and offer the stimulus packaged grant,” Honourable Rymer said.

The Minister for Transporation said the initiative’s grant enabled the other sister islands within the Territory to participate.

“The service has engaged one hundred and twelve (112) operators on Tortola, seventeen (17) on Virgin Gorda, nine (9) on Jost van Dyke and seven (7) on Anegada. As a result of the stimulus, this Government has positively affected the lives of 145 Taxi Operators and their families,” Honourable Rymer added.

The stimulus package was made available through a Social Security Grant in the amount of one million dollars ($1M)) towards, among other things, engaging local taxi operators to provide the shuttle service as well as the quarantine bus service for returning Nationals and Residents. 

The COVID-19 Transportation Stimulus Package will come to its end on Friday, February 26, 2021.

The Park and Ride Service Commenced on June 29, 2020, and to date over fifteen thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine (15,479) passengers participated in the service at an average of over seven hundred (700) passengers weekly.

20 Responses to “Taxi Operators Stimulus initiative benefitted 145 Taxi Operators- Hon Rymer”

  • Taxi VI (21/02/2021, 16:21) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wasn’t one of them; but happy for those who got. My turn soon come.
  • Do the maths (21/02/2021, 16:39) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    waste ah monies
    • Rubber Duck (22/02/2021, 08:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      We want UBER.
      • Jane (22/02/2021, 21:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        No we don't want Uber. We want a comprehensive and affordable bus service.
    • Deh Watcha (22/02/2021, 12:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Check your maths against the voting bodies and you will have your answer why the stimulus is flowing where it does.
  • Only in the BVI (21/02/2021, 16:42) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    FREE/GIVE AWAY MONEY
    • the rock (22/02/2021, 08:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You have no idea what you are talking about, taxi business is a business, when other businesses received they stimulus they were noc omplain, hove seizer whst is seizer!
  • Sky View (21/02/2021, 17:05) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Good! The Uk will see that 1 million was put to Good use.39 million more to Account for..
  • facts (21/02/2021, 17:07) Like (2) Dislike (20) Reply
    Boss man the vip government ah work
  • wise up (21/02/2021, 18:54) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    One thing with BVI, only TOLIAN must benefit from every thing,most of these old taxi man them already have apartments,house etc let someone else eat.once u from somewhere else nothing for u look at how the treating the person with WORK PERMITS every day is something else.ALL I AM SAYING IS IF U NOT FROM HERE WORK AND SEND YOUR MONEY HOME.
    • Your point? (22/02/2021, 03:52) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
      I bet in any other Caribbean island Tortolians go to, they will not be prioritized over the locals of that respective island. Therefore, Tortolians should reap the benefits in their domain and everyone else comes after. Since you are so bothered by this go back to where you’re originally from and work there and earn their currency and be satisfied and many miles away from us.
    • @wise up (24/02/2021, 18:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      So ViIslanders are the prime beneficiaries of their motherland.
      So ,are Americans,, South Americans and everywhere else.
      Martians are the prime beneficiaries of Mars.
      Children are the beneficiaries of their parents,including their body,soul,Spirits.
      It is the natural order of life .
      Each and every one on this rock have a natural donor/motherland.
      Don't you know that??? or is envy jealousy and can't get enough a thing.
  • no way (21/02/2021, 19:54) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    @ ONLY IN THE BVI. THIS WAS NO FREE MONEY WE HAD TO WORK HARD FOR IT. WAS NOT MUCH BUT we were able to pay a light bill, eat a little and help maintain my vehicle a little. Every little bit counts and we are grateful. No free money here we all worked for it so please get up off our backs and stop kneeling on our necks. Taxi drivers we all face a lot of struggles and they are real. Only who in the kitchen feels the heat. See if you can become one then you will understand. The pressures are real everyone won't understand. Mental and emotional fatigue but it's a service we have committed our selves to. Many times you are asleep we have to be up all 4:AM in preperation for the journey ahead of us for the day. So if you think we all got free money I beg to differ.
  • Tel l Us (21/02/2021, 20:21) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    How much did they each receive?
  • Whoa (21/02/2021, 21:53) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    I’d drive 24/7 if I were being paid $60 per person per ride!
    1,000,000 / 15,000 passengers = $60+/-

  • Thank You VIP (21/02/2021, 22:11) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    I will surely miss the shuttle’s it was awesome to ride,as the saying all good things comes to and end.The government have been trying to help in every possible way.At less some families were able to benefit and provide for their families.Thank you VIP party.
  • stupidness (21/02/2021, 22:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    145 taxis for 100 passengers......................FOOLISHNESS
  • Reality check (22/02/2021, 08:32) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    My company with nine employees was promised business stimulus money in September and still don't have it. Seven are locals, still don't have it.
    Will have to buy taxis to get it I guess!!
    How many of those taxi drivers are in good standing with Inland Revenue, NHI, and SS??
  • Stupes (22/02/2021, 13:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    These the same dam taxi drivers who you does be trying to flag down and speed pass you without stopping. Seems they don't really want customers!!!!
  • Not fear (23/02/2021, 05:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every one deserves this every mouth shall be fed period


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.