The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Taxicab Union is preparing for weeks of escalating industrial action, with president Tyrone Butler warning that long-standing grievances are being ignored and accusing the government of enabling illegal operations that cut into taxi drivers’ livelihoods.

Mr Butler said the union has reached a breaking point after months of alleging that livery drivers openly solicit passengers in areas reserved for taxis, with hotel properties and major transport hubs allowing the practice to flourish.

“I think you'll see more industrial unrest starting to happen,” he said yesterday. “I think, from our perspective, we intend to step up our activity in the next couple of weeks or couple of months. Because, I mean, we can't continue to operate where the government is allowing one fraction of society to operate illegally.”

He has repeatedly accused drivers working for livery services of violating the law by picking up customers at locations including Atlantis, Nassau Cruise Port, Margaritaville, and the Lynden Pindling International Airport under the Nassau Airport Development Company’s oversight.

Asked whether he believes the government will intervene, Mr Butler said he does not, adding that he expects tensions to deepen.

He also accused Minister of Transport and Energy JoBeth Coleby-Davis of siding with the livery sector. “She's always been a staunch advocate for the livery drivers, so she continues to insist that they have a right to operate, even though they're operating illegally,” he said.

The dispute escalated earlier this year after the BTCU complained that livery drivers were soliciting passengers in restricted zones. In August, the Ministry of Transport and Energy said it had formally sought legal guidance from the Office of the Attorney General on how the Road Traffic Act applies to the competing groups.

“While the Ministry of Energy and Transport will proceed in accordance with this legal advice, our steadfast commitment remains to supporting a regulatory framework that is equitable, modern, and aligned with the realities of today’s transportation sector,” the ministry statement said.

The ministry added that the conflict stems from “differences over the interpretation and application of the Road Traffic Act” and noted that its goal is to “work toward solutions that balance the interests of all parties”.

Frustrations boiled over this month when taxi drivers staged a loud demonstration outside Nassau Cruise Port. The Tribune previously reported that three taxi drivers were arrested during clashes with police as the protest snarled access to the port.

Mr Butler clarified yesterday that two drivers were arrested. He said they pleaded guilty in court and are scheduled to return for another date in the coming months. They were charged with disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest.

Although the union has not yet met with port officials — something Mr Butler attributed to scheduling conflicts — he said the BTCU is pushing for a meeting next month. He added that the protest made clear the union’s determination not to be ignored.

Mr Butler said he is satisfied the union has shown that its concerns cannot be dismissed and expects more unrest if the government continues to, in his view, allow violations to go unchecked.