The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

TAXI drivers complained yesterday about not having designated parking areas on Bay Street.

They said markings indicating their parking spots on Bay Street were removed during work done on the roads earlier this year.

Sam Williams, president of Bahamas Loving Care Association, said: “We’ve spoken to everybody in authority and they say they gon’ do it, they gon’ do it, but haven’t done anything. I’m asking the Prime Minister to do something so we could carry bread to our family. The situation down Bay Street is that we have no place to park. Taxi stands have not been placed back. There are no taxi markings for us.”

The taxi drivers said until the markings were removed, they had 37 spots designated for them.

Edney Neily added: “At least give us about 25.”

However, one taxi driver, Thomas Smith, said taxi drivers themselves must be more united when agitating for change in their business.

“We need rules and regulations,” he said. “We can’t face the government if there is division among taxi drivers and fighting among ourselves.”

Furthermore, Richard Johnson, the president of the Public Service Drivers Union, is calling on Ministry of Transport and Aviation officials to listen to their concerns. “I do not know who is in charge of the Ministry of Transport,” he said. “People are driving taxis without any type of training. There’s no type of order or control at Road Traffic. I’ve been trying to meet with Hope Strachan. I’ve tried to meet with Minister (Hope) Strachan five times. I wrote her and had an initial meeting with her. She promised additional meetings, but postponed them.”

When contacted, downtown staff of various businesses said they do not want taxi drivers to be given designated parking areas.

Mrs Barr, the manager of “The Perfume Bar, said: “They don’t need to be here. Sometimes they park there for hours and hours and sometimes when you want to get a taxi for a tourist they are nowhere to be found because they go to the waterfront or leave the area.”

Another employee said: “Thirty-seven spots? Are they crazy? All of that? That’s all of Bay Street. I would recommend giving them 12 spots.”

Patrice, a manager at Solomon’s Mines, said: “I feel they does have too much spots, spots that should be left for customers who want to park. Give the taxi drivers 20 spots since that’s their way of life.”

However, it was suggested that there should be a taxi stand on Bay Street from which a taxi — parked in a taxi line off the main street – could be called when needed.