Plates & unfair competition top list of taxi operators’ complaints
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.
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