Airport Taxi Operators Weigh Proposals to Curb Illegal Pickups

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Licensed taxi drivers at VC Bird International Airport are pressing for stronger oversight of pickups, meeting Wednesday to review an eight-point plan they say will restore order and protect their livelihoods.

The plan was delivered earlier this week to Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin by the United Taxi Company (UTC), whose members argue that unauthorized private drivers continue to flout airport regulations. UTC President Ian Joseph said the proposals were designed to tighten enforcement while creating a more organized system for both passengers and operators.

The recommendations include stepped-up police action against unlicensed drivers, a separate licensing regime for airport-based operators, a royalty arrangement benefiting UTC, and the rollout of a dispatch system to manage pickups.

Joseph described the formation of a government-led committee to study the proposals as a sign of progress after weeks of escalating tension. “This isn’t about shutting anyone out,” he said. “It’s about fairness, safety, and accountability.”

Benjamin has indicated that the measures will be placed before Cabinet for consideration in the coming days.

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9 COMMENTS

  1. These Taxi drivers are presently annoying the hell out of me with their ridiculous arguments. The taxi market is saturated its called competition deal with or find a new industry to operate in. Innovation is the key to gain a competitive advantage. Offer some sort of incentive for passengers to wish to book with you instead of innovating badmind in 2025.

  2. It’s Amazing how Antiguans love to jump all over things when they are not the ones affected. How would any of you like if you were were in the Taxi Drivers Shoes?

    Bunch Ah Selfish People. If It’s Not Me & It Benefits Me, To Hell With Everyone Else. Any Wonder This Twin Island State Is In The State It’s In.

    Now Politicians & Their Cronies Are Trying To Stick Their Dirty Hands In This Industry Too. They In Hotel, Heavy Duty Equipment, DMC Companies, Water Trucking, Backhoe & Escavator Rentals, Dredging Companies, Housing Projects, Land Sales; and the List is Endless.

    Now Tell Me What’s Left For The Ordinary Man & Woman in this country, whilst we have to pay through our Battom to make ends meet whilst they pay for NOTHING.

    I FOR ONE WILL NOT SIT BACK & ALL ANYONE TO ENCROACH ON MY LIVELIHOOD

  3. I understand the concern. But these taxi operators wanna hold people at hostage. If I come to the island who can tell me who should pick me up? If my family operates a taxi and are not part of the association who the hell can tell them don’t come airport and collect me? Black people. Enslaved in their minds.

  4. What constitutes an ‘illegal pickup’? It’ll be helpful to include such details in the article to avoid confusion and assumptions. It’ll also be helpful to know the impact to passengers/potential passengers. Whereas I understand the grievances raised by the airport taxis, the hope is that there’s no risk of infringing on the rights of passengers…I value my ability to choose

  5. I am confused. Are the taxi drivers saying that private car drivers shouldn’t be allowed to pick up passengers? I haveva few drivers in my family with their own cars. Wouldn’t they be allowed to pick me up from the airport whenever I fly? Why should I pay a taxi driver to take me to Liberta when one of my family can pick me up.

  7. I have 3 vehicles at my home. If my family traveled, one their return, a member of my home will pick them up and nobody can stop that. If a member of parliament , parliamentarians wife and children, prime minister children, and diplomats family and children , will they allow them to take taxi when they have many vehicles ? None sense. Taxi at the airport cannot stop it. Things hard in this country and every dollar count. Allow me to pickup my family at the airport. Anytime police stop me, I will allow the matter to go to court for a legal ruling. Soon from now, they will tell you that you cannot fly any other airline thsn liat

  9. I’m not sure I understand what is happening or what exactly is an illegal pick up!!! So can someone actually explain what this means?

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