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VI taxi drivers to receive COVID-19 stimulus pack

-Hon Kye M. Rymer says meetings ongoing with operators across the territory
Taxi operators who ply their trade in the Virgin Islands will soon be the recipients of a government piloted COVID-19 economic stimulus package to make up for lost income as a result of lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus in the territory. Photo: Internet Source
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R7) made the announcement about the economic stimulus package while speaking about the implementation of the City Park and Ride Shuttle Service yesterday, June 19, 2020, during a sitting of the VI House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R7) made the announcement about the economic stimulus package while speaking about the implementation of the City Park and Ride Shuttle Service yesterday, June 19, 2020, during a sitting of the VI House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: VINO/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - Taxi operators who ply their trade in the Virgin Islands will soon be the recipients of a government piloted COVID-19 economic stimulus package to make up for lost income as a result of lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus in the territory.

Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R7) made the announcement while speaking about the implementation of the City Park and Ride Shuttle Service yesterday, June 19, 2020, during a sitting of the VI House of Assembly (HoA). 

"Due to COVID-19, it has now been decided to also use the services as an opportunity to provide an economic stimulus option for taxi operators who may be experiencing reduced income because of the closure of our borders." 

He said the Ministry has convened a series of meetings with taxi operators throughout the territory, to bring this stimulus incentive into effect.   

Taxi operators providing input - Hon Rymer 

While it is unclear what the stimulus package will entail, Hon Rymer indicated that the package is being developed with import from taxi operators based on needs specific to them. 

"Our first meeting was held on Tortola on 13th June with over 20 persons in attendance... Today, 19th June we met with Taxi Operators on Jost Van Dyke to discuss the stimulus package that will be specific to them. Our next meeting on Tortola is scheduled for 20th June, where we hope to finalize our implementation strategy of the Park and Ride Service,"  Hon Rymer told the House.   

Hon Rymer said other meetings to address the stimulus package needs of Virgin Gorda and Anegada taxi operators will take place within the coming weeks. 

21 Responses to “VI taxi drivers to receive COVID-19 stimulus pack”

  • Appreciate (20/06/2020, 15:15) Like (6) Dislike (14) Reply
    That’s really nice of the Government just not to them ones from down the island
    • @ appreciate (20/06/2020, 15:17) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply

      So true I’m glad most of them is local them i***** p***** need to get none

      • @@appreciate (20/06/2020, 15:27) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
        Go ahead we understand its more hits. Guess someone is paying you. Lets go out today and march today against discrimination. It will be so funny having a people marching against it self.
      • tretretrete (21/06/2020, 04:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yet we marching black lives matter smfh
    • Holy moly (21/06/2020, 06:43) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
      Taxi fares are so expensive in the BVI that the drivers only need to do one or two trips a day, and then spend the rest of the day sitting at the taxi association huts. Will they be required to work a full day, or does the stimulus pay for them to sit in the hut.
      Many people will not use the service because as a matter of policy they will not use BVI taxis.
      We also need to ‘retire’ some of the older drivers that are not safe on the road. The younger guys are more helpful, charge lower fees and are safer.
      It’s time for Uber in the BVI. $120 for 4 people In a taxi to go from town to Trellis is an outrage - it is only about 5 miles - $24 per mile!!! And then they want a tip! Uber would do it for about $15 for all 4 people (not per person).
      Also, I have had enough of the discrimination against down islanders in the comments on this blog. Stop it.
    • See (21/06/2020, 07:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sure ..no discrimination here . Just like sticking it the work permit holders who pay taxes , fees , and obey thelaws of the land
  • True (20/06/2020, 15:44) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    small business grants still postponed but people who have no employees and have been earning money all throurgh this are suddenly jumping to the front of the queue WTF
  • NezRez (20/06/2020, 16:01) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is a good start. On another note, taxi drivers should have a plexiglass between them and the passengers, to protect the drivers from being exposed all day, everyday . There should be a money slot on the drivers side for passengers to pay. I’m just looking out for the drivers to keep them safe.
  • Interested (20/06/2020, 16:29) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    This is pure foolishness. First of all, there are probably over 300 taxi drivers in the territory. Are all of them going to do shuttle service ?
    Secondly, how many people do you think are going to park their cars and take a shuttle ?
    The taxi drivers have been hard hit due to the cutting short of the normal tourist season. TheY have to pay the bank for their vehicles and need something more tangible than this
  • HAHA (20/06/2020, 16:45) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    Let them suffer, they think they own the road, they stop without indication and slow down from cruising speed to get passengers and have bad driving habits
    • Local (20/06/2020, 19:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Haha let suffer you say I hope when your turn comes you will not suffer , don't laugh or rejoice at a next man crosses . Today for me tomorrow for you.
  • jokers (20/06/2020, 19:45) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    DONT GIVE NONE STIMULUS JUST OPEN THE COUNTRY SOON LET US RIDE AND DIE
  • Drivers (20/06/2020, 20:34) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    There are public taxi drivers on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and Anegada. The people who live and drive vehicles on these islands are the people who should decide which taxi drivers get financial assistance NOT some government minister or manager. Many taxi drivers are too old, drive dangerously and have no regard for other drivers on these island roads.
  • ABC (20/06/2020, 20:36) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    presumably someone will check of these guys are up to date on their taxes, SS, NHI etc before paying them out?
  • No pay -No play (20/06/2020, 21:44) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    The question is, do all of these TAIXA drivers pay's their S S . If they don't pay into the system than no stimulus package.
  • Tell us (20/06/2020, 21:50) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where will this stimulus Money be coming from, is it S S board or some other place. ?
  • question (20/06/2020, 22:08) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are taxi drivers required to be up to date on social security, NHI and tax to receive stimulus?
  • Discrimination (21/06/2020, 09:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

    Why only taxi drivers ????? Oh that’s right only “belongers” can get a taxi license. 

  • We in trouble (21/06/2020, 09:41) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Make sense, they paid their dues in good times, they should be fed in bad times..
  • Dominos (21/06/2020, 10:11) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is the only place in the world Taxi Drivers refuse passengers they are Rich they don’t need the stimulus package
  • Oh Boy.. (22/06/2020, 04:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    90% of Taxi drivers hsve apartment building on rent, most of them doing well, even in the midst of the Carona virus


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