The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE president of the Public Services Driver’s Union (PSDU) yesterday suggested that “political interference” remains the cause for delays surrounding the modernisation of the taxi industry.

Richard Johnson claimed that during his 20 years in the industry there has been a “systematic” scheme to restrict drivers from expanding their everyday role in the sector. Mr Johnson said the government is “once again interfering in matters that affects drivers without holding discussions with actual drivers”.

Sources within the industry confirmed that representatives from Baha Mar, the Road Traffic Department and the Bahamas Taxicab Union (BTU) are in the process of rectifying and incorporating an initiative that will adjust the general limits of the industry. Officials at the $3.5 billion mega-resort last week revealed that they have plans in place to “modernise the taxicab industry” and end the moratorium on the issuing of taxi plates.

Officials said their initiative will end the moratorium by allowing the incorporation of 200-250 new licences in the industry. The group believes that these licences will push a new franchise approach within the industry.

Those comments prompted Mr Johnson to say yesterday, “It’s deja vu for me all over again”. He said he approached Baha Mar with a similar proposal in November, had preliminary discussions and then “everything went cold”. Mr Johnson said he now knows the reason for the “abrupt end to discussions”, suggesting that the government has steered executives at the resort to hold discussions on all arrangements with the rival BTU and not the PSDU.

He indicated that among the three taxi unions functioning in The Bahamas, the PSDU, its Grand Bahama affiliate, the GBPSDU, and the BTU, only the PSDU and the GBPSDU speak for actual drivers.

“We are an actor and we should be at the table when important matters that affect us are being discussed,” said Mr Johnson.

“This has to be addressed. This is like deja vu. When Atlantis first came here we (PSDU) were the first transportation body to approach them and discuss transportation provisions. They are using this very proposal to work with the Taxi Cab Union to our exclusion and that is not fair.”

Mr Johnson indicated that his union had brokered a deal that would have given them exclusive rights to Atlantis but “there was political interference and that did not work out”.

“Successive governments, for reasons only known to themselves, have refused to allow us to take control of our business, and historically the taxi drivers are very much a part of our national development. We have been independent, small business people from day one. Over the years we have demonstrated that we are responsible business people.”

Executives from Baha Mar did confirm in a Tribune Business report that they did at some point hold discussions with Mr Johnson. Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president, said: “We have met with all key stakeholders, including Mr Johnson, to share our thoughts on how the taxi cab service might be enhanced. Mr Johnson’s proposal focuses on giving franchise title to franchise holders, to be used as collateral for financing. This is only one small area of what we have asked the Government to consider to modernise the taxi cab service.”

Mr Sands added that while Mr Johnson had advocated on issues addressed in Baha Mar’s proposal, its work was not resort-specific and was far more extensive. He suggested that Baha Mar’s aim remains “raising the product and profile” of the taxi cab industry to reflect the major tourism-related investments and upgrades in New Providence.

Mr Johnson said he has written to Baha Mar chairman and CEO, Sarkis Izmirlian, on this matter and has not received a response. He also said during a press conference at the House of Labour, Wulff Road, yesterday that he has, “on a number of occasions”, contacted the controller in the Road Traffic Department in reference to “a number of issues”, all unsuccessful.

Mr Johnson said his 210-member union is dedicated to organising drivers to take advantage of opportunities made available in the industry. “We are the drivers, we are the ones that are directly involved in the hustle. We should speak on our own behalf. The PSDU wants now, and has for many years called for, a forensic audit of the Road Traffic Department to show who are the owners of the 1,135 taxi plates in circulation. Give ownership of those plates to the drivers who actually drive.”

The Tribune has learned that nearly 300 of the 1,135 taxi plates issued in Nassau are presently not in use and Road Traffic records at the moment cannot reflect their present status.

The Baha Mar proposal, presented on Friday to government and industry stakeholders, said: “This push to modernise taxi cabs is a part of a multi-pronged approach that calls for improved efficiency at LPIA, Customs and Immigration, and safety and security in beach and watersports activities.”

Baha Mar’s presentation added: “We see the modernisation taking place incrementally. What would be good is to have some early adopters who work from the airport, Downtown, Prince George Dock and Cable Beach.”

Mr Johnson said: “We are calling on the government to recognise the value of taxi franchises. Most of all, we want regulations to be implemented that give taxi drivers exclusive rights to ground transportation from the airport, docks and hotels. That is the way it is supposed to be.”