National

Taxi Union President: It’s Not Only Illegal But Dangerous

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Ride sharing has caught the attention of local taxi drivers who say not only is it illegal, it’s also not safe.

Published

8 months ago

May 1, 2025

Joshua Williams

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Ride sharing has caught the attention of local taxi drivers who say not only is it illegal, it’s also not safe.

Tyrone Butler – President of The Bahamas Taxi Cab Union

“Persons who use these company and their services must know that the risks that they’re taking – if something should happen in those cars, they’re not going to be compensated because these persons don’t have liability insurance.”

Butler, also shared that while these illegal “hackers” haven’t reduced taxi drivers’ profits, they have been showing up in areas they frequently do business.

Tyrone Butler – President of The Bahamas Taxi Cab Union

“The one or two individuals that have been coming around the airport and the public area like the airport the downtown area are advertising online and persons that don’t know how the laws of the commonwealth of The Bahamas work may book these persons online but they’re very unaware of really the liability these persons carry.”

There are several ride-sharing companies operating in the country on platforms similar to North American companies like Lyft and Uber.

Now the Ministry of Energy and Transport, releasing a statement recently, says the Road Traffic Department is the only legal agency that can issue transportation grants for hire or reward.

But the Taxi Cab Union president says it’s simply not enough and there needs to be less talk and more action.

Tyrone Butler – President of The Bahamas Taxi Cab Union

“We point them but the government has really been kind of relaxed and a little laid back in that regard because this has been going for a couple of years now.” Persons who are using their private vehicle for hire their insurance should be cancelled because they’re going against what their insurance states you can’t use your private vehicle and use it for reward .”