Taxi operators at VC Bird International Airport are sounding the alarm once again, warning that unchecked illegal taxi activity is threatening both their livelihoods and the integrity of the country’s transport system.
With an October 1 deadline now set, the United Taxi Company says patience has run out after months of unfulfilled government promises, and operators are prepared to act on their own if decisive steps are not taken.
Shermain Bique-Charles spoke to the Vice President of the National Taxi Association Gregory Athill.
Gregory Athill, Vice President of the National Taxi Association
Are they going to do this every start of the tourist season? just checking
I thought that matter was taken care off last year, Season open soon and they want to upset the thing,
Taxi operators have been patient for too long. If government can’t act, they have every right to defend their livelihood
If I have my preferred taxi man that I call to pick me up, or a hotel has a taxi they work with, they can’t go to the airport and pick someone up? Taxi drivers need to get their head out their ass before someone sets up something like Uber here and none of them get business.
The article refers to non taxi drivers
The airport is the country’s front door. If visitors are harassed by unlicensed drivers, it damages Antigua and Barbuda’s image as a safe, welcoming destination
The official taxis are too expensive, and that’s why people turn to alternatives. Instead of blocking others, maybe they should review their rates and service
While I understand the taxi operators’ frustration, I hope the authorities also consider ways to help drivers transition or regularize their services rather than just penalize them.
Trying to understand this from what the guy said in the video…… are you telling me that there are people driving A and C plates vehicle charging people as if they are taxis???? Cause I mean, people have their own people picking them up and there’s also chauffeurs hired to pick up people at the airport. What should a concern are taxi drivers picking up at the airport once they are supposed to
As long as they are not in the taxi area that should not be a problem. People have ways of getting their preferred ride. I feel as if, once they are not rushing the arriving passengers or at the taxi dispatcher stand, then we shouldn’t have a problem with C and A plates picking up passengers
Antiguans dont really like anything organized. That is just the fact of the matter. So they will prefer rogue taxi operators instead of decent ones
This promised show of force by Athill an’ Dem reminds me of a joke you, too, might have already heard.
On this rather peaceful morning, a powerless, big-talker stormed into his Boss’ office, taking advantage of the fact that his Boss’ was seated attending to important paperwork that filled his desk. Without waiting to be invited to speak, Mr. Loud Mouth thundered, “I demand a raise, or else!”The Boss quietly secured his papers, then rose to meet Mr. Loud-mouth, eyeball to eyeball. “Or else what?” he roared, even louder than Mr. Big Mouth who, taken aback by the Boss’ grim expression, muttered sheepishly, “Or else I go right back to work, Sir.”
Trevor, you may be destined for greatness. Stranger things have happened. The UPP hierarchy was not impressed. Chet Greene was not impressed. Maybe you should just stick to giving more AI produced funeral speeches, but please, pick your fights with more care and caution.
Competition isn’t always bad. If illegal taxis are thriving, maybe it shows the system is broken and needs reform rather than more crackdowns