The Antigua and Barbuda St. John’s Taxi Association has come under fire as numerous complaints highlight alleged inhumane treatment and unethical practices by some members of the association. Tour guides, who play a crucial role in the island’s tourism industry, are speaking out against what they describe as exploitative behavior and a lack of professionalism within the taxi community.
The grievances put forward include accusations that some taxi drivers prioritize personal gain over customer service, leading to confrontations with tour guides and guests. One of the primary concerns is the aggressive pursuit of tips, with some drivers reportedly sidelining guides and adopting unfair practices to maximize their earnings.
Tour guides claim that taxi drivers, who often earn significantly more than guides, engage in confrontations over tips and employ tactics such as not allowing guides on their buses or even physically pushing and locking them in vehicles. The alleged mistreatment extends to restricting communication on buses, as drivers reportedly silence guides in front of guests.
A disturbing incident was reported where guides were pushed or confined within taxi buses as a means of extracting tips, highlighting a pattern of unacceptable behavior within the association. Tour guides argue that the situation has become untenable, leading to the departure of many good taxi drivers who refuse to participate in such practices.
The leadership of the taxi association, particularly the head of small buses, has been accused of turning a blind eye to these issues. Despite being reported multiple times, the head allegedly continues to tolerate and even encourage the problematic conduct. This has raised concerns about the lack of oversight and accountability within the organization.
In response to the escalating crisis, tour guides are calling for a thorough cleanup of the taxi association and the appointment of leaders who prioritize customer service and ethical conduct.
The guides argue that the symbiotic relationship between tour companies and taxi services should be acknowledged, emphasizing the need for fair treatment and respect for all industry stakeholders.
“There are some nice taxi drivers, but some are just rotten and can’t change, so they just need to go,” expressed one tour guide. “It’s time to put proper heads in the taxi association, especially those with a focus on customer service.”
As the outcry grows louder, it remains to be seen whether the Antigua and Barbuda St. John’s Taxi Association will take immediate steps to address these allegations and restore public trust in their services.
The tourism industry, a vital component of the nation’s economy, may face repercussions if corrective action is not taken swiftly.
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When I was a tour guild I made a written complaint to the taxi association about an incident with a driver who refused to let me talk on the bus and at the end of the tour he stood at the entrance so when the guest came off they would pay pay him directly. I only had two tours for the week with a daily pay of $100 at the time so was really looking forward to supplementing my week with tips. The driver who was paid $1000 per tour still slighted me so he can get it all. I named the driver, the vehicle when the next time I had same said driver he refused me on his bus in front of 23 guests and all they did was switch me to another bus.
These practices have been going on for decades now.
Is not now they doing that…I used to do tours as well and some of te drivers used to do most of the talking. When it was tipping time they got tips and I saw them slip at least half of it in their pockets and then wanted to split my tip with their own.
Hogging behavior.
Dawg nyam dawg out there, they rip each other apart for the white man pocket change.
Imagine that eh, you nyam off a brother head over white man pocket change while the head pig just cock up and watch over the other hard working pigs, no wonder there is no development in this place, smfh
In an effort at fairness and full clarity was there any attempt at getting the taxi drivers side of this story?
Everything I have read have put forward only the side of the tour guides, however there are usually three sides to a story: that of the complainant, the defendant and the truth.
Yes, this complaint is cause for concern but we need all sides to make informed decisions going forward.
Everything that has been reported is true. My mother is a tour guide and my father used to be a driver. Incidents such as the ones reported have been discussed in my home for years. My question is, where are the poli e in all this? Locking somebody in your vehicle and not allowing them to leave is kidnapping and u lawful imprisonment. Forcefully requiring persons to hand over money earned is extortion!
It’s rotting at the Top and it’s rotten at The Bottom.
An industry that’s the underpinning of the economy with the oversight of a Mom and Pop store.
The engine of the fantasy of an economic powerhouse needs to be rebuilt.
If taxi drivers can’t be trust worthy and fair who can.
Just like in the broader economy thise with leverage take advantage
Finally, this issue is brought to the light. We have some really nice and good taxi people out there but majority are the most disgusting, protected by government and entitled set of people in Antigua. Even after a recent 10% increase with no warning time, these drivers who most own their own busses still want to harass the tour guides and extort them for the little money they make. These drivers are getting paid $1050 ecd for a full bus of 20 people on a three hour tour (government set prices for tourists/ Cruiseship guests). Most do at-least 2 a day. They are harassing, extorting, threatening these tour guides who make a $100ECD a day. It is disgusting and their language, facial expressions and attitude stink in front of the guests. Do they have insurance? Who checks? Any of them ever done any customer service training or first aid/CPR training? Tour Operators are forced to use these official bus drivers because they cannot own their own buses in Antigua but in Jamaica, Barbados, St Kitts and many other islands Tour Operators can. maybe if that was to happen here, taxi drivers may rethink how they act and operate. Do you see in Heritage quay how aggressive and the taxi stand technique how it is used. Where else in the WORLD has taxis so aggressive and annoying? Government knows that some guests dislike the level of aggression taxi drivers use in Antigua and say screw this I’m gone back on the Cruiseship. They should be on a corner hidden to the side and if people want a taxi they go over there. If you are a white tourist and you arrive in heritage quay via Cruiseship, you must be asked if you want a taxi ten times by time you reach ACB bank (and people think that’s normal or ok, it is harassment and a turn off when visiting a new destination). After you get through the swarm of the official taxis, you gotta get through the unofficial ones. When you report dirty buses with rude drivers, nothing happens. You are forced to still work with these drivers the next day. All they do is drive when the tour guides do all the talking, jokes, information, first aid and interaction, the drivers still want a tip?Extortion, verbal abuse and more is faced everyday when a Cruiseship is in port by these taxi drivers. They are the most powerful and untouchable union/mafia in Antigua. I am sorry to all the good taxi drivers out there but the bad ones make all y’all feel like the scum of Antigua, next to some of them politicians. They have had two to three price increases since Covid hit in 2020. We have to have the most expensive taxi prices in the whole Caribbean. I recommend to everyone visiting antigua to rent a car because taxis are over priced. Let’s not forget why Carnival Cruiselines do not visit Antigua regularly any more for almost ten years, because a taxi driver, police officer friend and No politician was smart enough to pay out of their pocket or squash the bulls$&t fast enough before these tourists got arrested and Cruiseship was delayed to leave or left without them for something which is relatively small for the bigger picture. That’s it
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