Taxi drivers are now experiencing a financial setback due to the drop in tourist arrivals to the island.
Local taxi men have said the decrease of visitors and the hike of hotel rates have slowed down business for them. They described the tourist season as “one of the worst in recent years” and added there was a very big cut back in tourism this year.
One taxi man, operating from Rockley Taxi Service, Christ Church, said that business was very bad, as he was unable to get customers.
“Extremely bad” was another way yet another taxi driver described the present situation. He said that he lost over $3 000 or more, so far this year and added that after arriving at the taxi stand at 5 a.m. sometimes up to 5 p.m., it was hard to get one customer.
The taxi men though aware of the situation have found other reasons to attribute to their loss in sales.
They said more than usual persons including tourists were making full use of the public transport service. They also added that tourists who now come to the island are not the same as those who came years ago.
However, president of the Taximen Association, Hamilton Bayley, said he did not find any reason to complain, but his concern was over tourism.
He said that crime was a major factor and many visitors to the island were becoming victims of rape and theft.
He was of the opinion that persons wishing to become taxi drivers ought to the scrutinised by police in order to determine whether or not they were worthy to serve the public.