These are the 8 recommendations to fix taxi concerns at the VC Bird Airport

1. Noted and some points are in existance and others can be introduced. But, also what happens when more hotels introduce their own tour/shuttle service?

2. Is UTC a regulatory body or a company? Why would outside companies be required to pay royalties to UTC?

3. What? in 2025 you need 3 big companies tho drive people out from Airport? Come on… refuse to evolve and you are left behind.
   The wrold is long time ago using services to book Taxi services using different platform like Swift, Uber, others..You are against those because you don’t want to evolve and be competitive. This measrement list is like we are in early 2000 creating a Plan to improve services..is laugable how this people are pushing this type of Old practices.
   Look at this “written notification 24 hours” Hahahahaha
   and this ” Create administrative office” hahaha…Result More bureaucracy and increase of cost of operations.. Then complain that there is too much expenses.
   This is not going to solve anything than create a caos, delays, arguments in front of Travelers. You guys can’t be talking serious.

4. It is unfortunate that in an effort to preserve the monopoly of the prominent taxi associations, that passengers’ need for choice, convenience and competitive fares are totally sidelined. Historically, monopolies never serve the interest of the consumer in the long run. Monopolies are always less inclined to innovate, since they make money without having to make an effort to improve. With monopolies, innovation is always perceived as a threat that must be eliminated or ring-fenced. The consumer is always left to pay high prices, experience poor service and tolerate a “take it” or “shut up” experience. I had an experience in St. Maarten, some time ago where I met a friend in the airport when I arrived. We were both attending the same conference at the same hotel. So we decided that we would take a taxi together, not only to catchup with each other but also to save on the cost of transportation. We were was immediately informed that unless we were family or part of a tour group, we could not share a taxi. The taxi driver refused to allow both of us to share. We eventually had to relent and take separate taxis. Can you imagine that? Where is my right of choice?

5. It makes no sense that hotels with their own shuttles must first seek permission to pick up their own guests at the airport. What happens in high season when every taxi is gone and tourists are left waiting with no way to get to their hotels? Who is responsible for that embarrassment?

   We like to compare ourselves to other countries and boast that we are “the best of the best,” yet we refuse to evolve with today’s technology. What exactly are we afraid of? Tourists book their shuttles, tours, housing, and activities online so they can have a proper schedule. When we put up barriers, we are not protecting our economy—we are sabotaging it.

   All of the stakeholders and entities who met to discuss this issue seem to have forgotten one thing: people out here are trying to make an honest living. It is already nearly impossible to get into a taxi association without having a recommendation from someone on the inside. This creates a closed system that benefits a few while shutting out many hardworking people who simply want a fair chance.

   Tourism is about convenience and reputation. If we keep frustrating visitors the moment they land, the reviews will reflect it, and our destination will pay the price. Other countries have already adapted with regulated apps, open shuttle systems, and more flexible licensing. If we continue to block change, we will not be “the best”—we will be left behind.

   It’s time to stop protecting a broken system and start protecting our future.

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