Swyft Ride-Hailing Service Sparks Tension with Taxi Operators
The launch of a new ride-hailing company, Swyft in Antigua and Barbuda is causing friction with the local taxi industry.
Swyft, described as an Uber-style service, allows residents to book taxis through a mobile app and pay online. The convenience has quickly drawn attention from customers, but it has also triggered concern among traditional taxi operators who say their livelihoods are at risk.
President of the National Taxi Association, Gregory Athill, confirmed that he has already met with Swift’s management to voice his concerns. He argues that the company’s operations could undermine licensed taxi services if not properly regulated.
“Taxi operators have invested heavily to comply with government requirements, and now a new player has entered the market without us knowing whether the same standards apply,” Athill said.
Members of the taxi association warn that Swift’s entry could worsen what they describe as an already unfair environment, where illegal operators are also competing for passengers.
“We don’t believe we need outside entity to come into Antigua and tell us how we should be doing taxi services…” he said
The government has not yet commented publicly on Swyft’s operations, but taxi drivers say they are watching closely and are prepared to press for action if their concerns are not addressed.
When we scrolled the company’s website it said “ride in confidence knowing all Swyft Taxi drivers hold certified taxi permits from the Antigua Department of Transportation.”
For now, the ride-hailing app remains active, providing passengers with a modern alternative to traditional taxi services while fueling a debate over the future of transportation in Antigua and Barbuda.
If they are so concerned, why did the taxi association refuse to work with so many ride sharing services that approached them in the past? People want convenience. Not taxi drivers who refuse to answer their phones all the time.
The Uber type taxi service is registered and they operate legally. Why doesn’t that taxi association want everybody to eat bread? You should embrace them and guide them on the do’s and dont’s of the system instead of bashing them
The taxi association can say what they like, customers deserve modern transport, convenience and fixed prices. If the taxi men have an issue, then they simply join up and guarantee themselves work.
Uber style rides are popular in bigger societies and make such a difference to people’s lives. Private taxi companies still offer their services and have improved. The only problem I see is having regular WiFi services available on your handset to book a cab after for example a late night.
So wait!!!!!! Nobody else suppose to make money through taxi service. Does the association have a monopoly on taxies here.
Man just move your backside and allow people to have options on where and how they spend their money
Here’s my thing. If not all most of them local taxi drivers only nice to locals when things bad. They only see in US$. I have actually heard on more then 3 occasions in groups , “A US we want, who me nar pick up no locals and US dey fe mek”. There was even a time leaving from Fort James , where a taxi just drop off some tourist and heading back town and flagged the taxi asking, How much to the taxi stand where I know he operates from , the man said in a continuous motion he don’t have the time and speed off. It was only the almighty that made a friend drove by the same time and got thr ride to town. And guess I saw running behind tourist with him map looking frustrated, Oh them come ya and na want to spend as he expressed to a nearby vendor. I smiled. All that to say I am open to other ways and means of getting around.
The taxi association has FAILED to raise the standards of its members. They have been lulled into do-nothingness by successive administrations and partisan organisationsl”leadership” over the years. They have shown little or no respect for local consumers and now, faced with the reality of inevitable competition they expect sympathy???!!! Well not from me. Let them continue to sit on their backside playing warri.and domino all day as the world turns. Sorry, no sympathy from me.
There’s enough people in Antigua without vehicle for all taxi drivers to make money,swyft is much easier and modern the taxi drivers hardly study the locals in tourist season now they have a little competition they’re complaining
Some taxi operators lock down at 5pm. These other taxis work all night. So we have our choice respect that
Every bread has its butter. The stoooosh people like their opulent taxi we love the taxi drivers who have no idea where we are going
I understand the association but they shouldn’t hold us hostage because of their beef
Competition could improve service for passengers. At the end of the day, people want safe, reliable, and fairly priced rides.
As i read this article, I downloaded the Swyft app. As a daughter of the soil the taxi association members can’t expect to provide terrible service and then dictate where I spend my money.
This caused me to download the swyft app….. But I drive. Will interested.
Let people live their lives. Don’t dictate to people who to take ride on