Taxi Drivers: “You Can Not Keep Disenfranchising Us”

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Shouts, pushing and traffic at a standstill.

That was the scene outside Lynden Pindling International Airport as members of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union staged a blockade, protesting what they say is years of unfair treatment by livery drivers and a lack of enforcement by authorities.

Stephano Wilkinson – Vice President, Bahamas Taxi Cab Union

“You cannot keep on disenfranchising us, man. Come on. That is unfair for taxi drivers who come out here to feed their family on a daily basis.”

Taxi Union President Tyrone Butler said that Thursday’s protest wasn’t spur of the moment.

He claims it was the result of years of complaints that livery drivers, who are licensed to provide prearranged transportation, are allegedly soliciting passengers at the airport and undercutting taxi fares.

Butler also accused authorities of failing to protect the rights of licensed taxi operators.

Tyrone Butler – President, Bahamas Taxi Cab Union

“This is a culmination of a lot of frustration on the part of the taxi drivers caused by the aggressive nature of livery drivers.”

For some drivers, the frustration has been building for nearly a decade. One veteran taxi operator says he’s tired of countless meetings that have produced few results.

Ernest Munnings – Taxi Driver

“We had the first meeting in the recreation room November 4th, 2017. None at that time promised to fix this issue. This is 2026. Do the math, that’s plenty years, okay? Everybody seems to be passing the buck. This one ain’t doing it, and too many meetings. We need some resolve to the situation.”

The union also claimed that government policies have created an uneven playing field, placing livery drivers in direct competition with taxi drivers.

They say taxi fares are regulated, while livery drivers are allegedly free to charge lower prices, drawing customers away.

Stephano Wilkinson – Vice President, Bahamas Taxi Cab Union

“The governments, the past government and present government, have put us here in the lane with livery drivers. Like you put us in a cage match. Why? Okay? You can set a price for us. You don’t have no price for them. So why would you have them in the same lane as us, frustrating us every day?”

But the Bahamas Livery Drivers Union disagrees. President Tory Austin says his members want to find common ground and continue providing quality service to visitors.

Tory Austin – President, Bahamas Livery Drivers Union

“We wanted to come to the table and find out how we can coexist and work together. But, again, you’re going to hear a lot of different issues they might have. We remain strong as a body, and we remain focused on what we have to do, and that’s service the guests.”

Transport Minister Leon Lundy arrived at the scene as tensions remained high, expressing disappointment and saying the protest was not needed, as he had recently assured the Taxi Union that he was working on the matter.

He called the dispute a misunderstanding and expressed confidence that talks would lead to a resolution.

Leon Lundy – Transport Minister

“No, it’s just a lot of misunderstanding, and like I said, it’s just timing that will solve everything.”