SOURCE REAL NEWS ANTIGUA: ‘Where is the advertising for the taxi associations,’ operator asks, as tuk-tuk operation is branded ‘conflict of interest
Based on an ad promoting Antigua and Barbuda, several taxi drivers are accusing Ministry of Tourism officials of a “conflict of interest.”
The magazine advertisement, which features the Tourism logo, states simply, “be HERE.” However, the image features a tuk-tuk, a vehicle the taxi drivers allege is owned and operated by senior people in the Ministry and the Tourism Authority.
“Now, that’s an issue!” one taxi operator declares, while alleging, “they are getting special treatment.”
Even though Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez reportedly “walked with Ian Joseph to the World Travel Market recently, I don’t see them advertising the taxi associations,” the operator adds. Joseph is the disputed president of one of the taxi associations.
The operator agrees that everybody has to make a living; however, he does not believe the tuk-tuks are safe. “The other day, I passed one on the side of the road, unable to climb the incline going up Cedar Valley Road,” he relates. “It was being pushed up… . Big joke.”
Another taxi and tour operator agrees that competing interests are at war in the industry. He, too, asserts that the tuk-tuks are owned and operated by those in control of tourism, who are “giving away the work that belongs to taxi drivers.”
Accordingly, he believes that promotion of the tuk-tuk as an alternative mode of transportation is to his detriment and that of other vehicle owners, who must try to earn a year’s income in the six months of the tourist season.
He notes that, at present, having a number of ships in port does not necessarily translate to work for the taxi operators.
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A tuk tuk only carries 4 passengers max. There is probably 5. Are the taxies supposed to eat all transport fees from tourist
When will people come to the realization everything in this country reeks of corruption and bobol. We keep boasting about the number of visitors to the country how much do they really spend
Times are changing. No longer tourists wanna come and enjoy the scenery couped up in a vehicle. Get with the times, offer a different experience, something fun. Do your research and see how technology is advancing and come up with something more fun and entertaining for the guests. Y’all will definitely get left in the dust thinking same ole same ole is always gonna work
I find taxi operators always feels entitled to make all the money when it comes to tourist mobility in this island .Tourism is our main industry and everybody has to eat .nobody talking about the elephant in the room when it’s comes to one taxi owner having eight taxi running .l,while the one with one suffers …tuk tuk isn’t the problem it’s the greed among the top tier in the association . Fix your yard before pointing fingers on others who see beyond your small minded limits.
The way people drive in Antigua, those tuk tuk are a disaster waiting to happen. I saw one with at least 6 passengers, a small child was among them on the road near Jolly Harbour, by the police station. Are they crazy taking those unknowing tourists on a dangerous road with a child in that thing. Please, somebody do something.
With all the potholes on this decripid island riding in either a taxi or tuk tuk is dangerous. The taxi and bus drivers drive like idiots along with the regular drivers. Then there’s the heavy duty truck drivers another set of idiots so basically it’s all unsafe here on this island. The place stinks so bad why would a tourist want to come to this dump anyway?
I don’t quite understand the issue with the taxi vs tuk-tuks, as far as I know the tuk-tuks are doing tours similar to how Island Safari etc operates, not specifically taking persons for hire to point a&b, so how does this affect the taxi operators? There are a couple modified taxies with semi-open backs who do tours for large groups so it’s not something taxies aren’t allowed to do either.
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