A number taxi and tour operators turned out to a meeting held – in the Taxi Bay at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport on Monday July 11th – to discuss proposed changes to the regulation of the Transport Sector in Anguilla, specifically Taxi and Tour Operations.
Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Curtis Richardson, headed a panel along with Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Elliott Forbes, and Bancroft Battick, Head of the Department of Infrastructure. The meeting was the first to address the issues regarding the taxi industry.
Among other things discussed were the issue of taxi licensing, distinguishing taxi license plates from company plates, and the removal of the Transportation Board from the portfolio of the Royal Anguilla Police Force (R.A.P.F) back to the Ministry of Infrastructure. Mr. Richardson commented: “There has been a lot of criticism about the Transportation Board”. Among the issues discussed, regarding the Transportation Board, were the Board’s failure to meet on a weekly basis, approval of taxi licenses and Chairman, Mr. Austin “Bennie” Connor, who has tendered his resignation which is yet to be accepted by the Minister. On this matter the minister said: “Based on certain comments, and the way that people have been carrying on in recent times, Mr. Austin “Bennie” Connor submitted his resignation which, I told him to his face will not be accepted”. Mr. Richardson further noted that at this time he needs the person serving on the Board to during this important transformation process. Also discussed were the code of conduct for operators, uniforms and vehicle specifications. The Minister noted that as Government looks at the possible expansion of the airport, the taxi and tour operations sector will be an important one-and there must be a certain level of professionalism.
Mr. Elliott Forbes stated that from the standpoint of the R.A.P.F the administration of the road and driver’s tests are time consuming. He also stated that by revising the industry through this process, and the formulation of a policy, can significantly aid in a more efficient use of time and allocation of recourses.
Taxi drivers and tour operators used the opportunity to raise concerns of their own and made suggestions on a way forward. At the end of this consultation process the sector will see changes in the form of a new policy governing taxi and tour operators. In the coming months several meeting will be scheduled as the process moves forward.
