Licensed taxi drivers at V.C. Bird International Airport have given authorities until 1 October to crack down on illegal operators or face possible disruption as the winter tourist season begins.
The United Taxi Company says unlicensed drivers routinely pick up passengers at the airport, hotels and seaport without background checks, fees or insurance, undercutting those who follow the law. Vice President Gregory Ail said drivers had “exhausted patience” with government delays and want urgent talks with the police and Transport Minister Max Fernandez.
Operators argue that while their fees were doubled last year, enforcement against illegal taxis has been weak. They warn the situation threatens passenger safety and Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation.
Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez says he is looking into the matter, but drivers insist their deadline is non-negotiable. The standoff risks a public clash just as visitor arrivals peak.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Are they going to do this every start of the tourist season? just checking
“….OR FACE POSSIBLE DISRUPTION”??? 😆 🤣 😂
Are these taxidtivers using their brain or what???? If you refuse to provide service to tourists, you only boxing bread out ya own hand. This leaves more room for more “illegal” operators to swoop in and make $$$$.
I thought that matter was taken care off last year, Season open soon and they want to upset the thing,
Parents bond you’ll belly for when the police starts crack down on this young men’s in Antigua moving like they Brian drain something serious will happen and then the public will say police nah do them work i see a young man doing something and i wondering if he is real i don’t have kids my only child could of been 15 years old but did make it to see sunlight why are you smoking around school time
Parents bond you’ll belly for when the police starts crack down on this young men’s in Antigua moving like they Brian drain something serious will happen and then the public will say police nah do them work i see a young man doing something and i wondering if he is real i don’t have kids my only child could of been 15 years old but did make it to see sunlight why are you smoking around school at school time
I aprove this
When will black people stop fighting against each other? When will they start to help build each other? Why can’t we do like the Chinese and the Syrians?they all coming here and do better than us learn from them that’s why some of us working until death stop no pension enjoyment cause you all stress yourself over want want and more wanting When will we learn. Examples are right in our eyes and we just can’t change is too much greed
You all jus badminded an greedy so what if private person carry ppl lot a these tourist are regular travellers to Antigua an already accustomed to private person they familiar with
Kmft
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.
Taxi operators have been patient for too long. If government can’t act, they have every right to defend their livelihood
Any taxi driver at the airport that strike is jeopardizing their own bread and butter. Because despite of the illegal taxies at the airport their is enough work for all of them. Especially with the Home Porting they have made lots of money. Some people just do not know when to leave the politics aside. They rather damage the entire Tourism sector that is feeding them. Bunch of idiots if you ask me. Wait till the Antigua Uber, Swyft Taxi, gets hold in the system and people will stop taking taxies all together.
Any of the Airport Registered Taxis that go on strike that may cast a black eye on our tourism product should have their prevelige revoked. Let them go into town and park up and wait for someone to hire them. Let us see how far the go with ECD versus USD that they are fighting for
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.
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
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 article does NOT mention anything about “harassed”. Stop inventing LIES!!!! Are you too money hungry, badminded, wicked, envious and jealous!!!
The article refers to non taxi drivers
We have been ripped off by many a taxi driver over the years. If they are getting healthy competition perhaps it will teach them to stick to the standard rates and stop trying to cram multiple sets of passengers going to different destinations into one trip and still charge them all the full fare. Some of the airport taxi operators are greedy cyan dun. Tired of dem.
Greedy bastards, they own 3 and 4 taxi buses operating at one time, people can’t get into the market and secure a taxi license, everyone must get a piece of the bread.Stop the greediness, Tourism suppose to be everyone’s business on the island to provide service and benefit, not a selected few .
Comments are closed.