Philipsburg:--- Taxi drivers from both sides of the island represented by at least three taxi associations gathered outside the government administration building on Monday morning to protest against the recent stabbing one of their colleagues endured from a gypsy driver. Among them were representatives and colleagues from the French side Taxi Association (SMUTA), the president of the Dutch Taxi Association (DSTA) and the Airport Taxi Association.Traffic was backed up from all angles as the angry and frustrated taxi drivers parked their vehicles almost anywhere in the vicinity of the government administration building forcing police to cordon the area. Members of each of the taxi association boards then entered the government administration building where they demanded to meet with Minister of Tourism Franklyn Meyers and Minister of Justice Rolland Duncan.
The drivers told the two Ministers that it has been years now they have been asking government and the police to do more to curb the gypsy taxi services which are offered to the island's visitors illegally. The drivers even suggested that one of the gypsy drivers whom they said is a Jamaican is protected by police and as such he practices his illegal trade without fear. Some of the drivers said the same individual even pulled out a gun and threatened a boat captain while he threatened another well known driver who rebuked him while he was trying to sell a male tourist and his children illegal drugs.Both Ministers told the drivers that while they understand their plight and accepted their proposals as to how the police and government should begin controlling and punishing gypsy drivers, the necessary policies and legislations have to be in place. Commissioner of Police Carl John also urged the Ministers to make sure they have the tools (policies and legislation) in place which would give them (police) the power to seize the vehicles operated by the gypsy drivers. The Minister also indicated that while the police is willing to act the law is very tricky. Minister Meyers said gypsy drivers have to be caught collecting monies for their services before the law can act.
In the meantime, several persons including a guest house owner said the situation with the gypsy taxis are brought on by the taxi drivers themselves. The well known businessman said that on several occasions when the guest houses or hotels call the taxi stands for a taxi to take one or two persons to the airport the legal taxi drivers would refuse to transport the passenger because they are either busy or prefer to have a tour. Another businessman said even the police sometimes turn to the gypsies for services because the registered taxis do not want the smaller jobs unless its slow season.A representative from AFOO supermarket told SMN News that the taxi drivers refuse to transport food saying that frozen foods would mess up their vehicles. The supermarket representative said that during the holidays and weekends it is only the gypsy drivers that provide services to their clients.
Below is the audio of the meeting with the taxi drivers and the Ministers at the government administration building on Monday.
