Season’s windfalls blow away from taxi drivers

Kenric Webster

Friday,  December 24, 2004

The Christmas and New Year period is normally time of high earnings due to increased spending in the economy, but it is not shaping up to be a boom time for taxi drivers in Grand Cayman.

“With many drivers losing vehicles during Hurricane Ivan, some are still waiting on new ones. In addition, some of those who did not lose vehicles lost radio communication in their vehicles and so are still not able to operate at the highest levels of efficiency within the government-controlled transportation system,” explained Kenric Webster, Director of Transportation for Cayman Islands Tourist Association.

Mr Webster revealed that approximately 30 percent of taxi drivers had lost vehicles. Mr Webster explained that new radios and the re-establishment of the network service by the network providers were some of the things needed for the return of radio communication to vehicles.

“The presence of the free bus service on New Year’s Eve night into the early morning, will definitely negatively affect the potential of drivers to make money on a night that is usually guaranteed to provide windfall gains for taxi operators,” said Mr Webster who added that those who have vehicles will try to make it “business as usual throughout those days and nights, as well as through the season, by offering the most reasonable fares in an effort to accommodate commuters.”

The fact that rates charged by taxi operators are standard and are confirmed and approved by the Transportation Board allow commuters to be confident that they cannot be easily be held to ransom. However, taxi rates in the Cayman Islands are still seen to be high – compelling potential passengers to make other arrangements for transportation.

“The Island is small and it is easy for visitors to decide on riding a bicycle or walking, or for residents to opt for taking the bus,” said one taxi operator.

Some taxi drivers believe that the reduced availability of cars for rent was of some benefit to them, when tourists were again allowed into the Island for the season – with most visitors immediately opting for the taxi service instead. 

As well, the increase in the numbers of persons leaving the Island for the holidays has created the need for an almost steady convoy to the airport – another fact that has directed some amount of business towards taxi drivers.

President of the Cayman Islands Taxi Drivers Association, Kenneth Ebanks explained that matters affecting taxi drivers such as rules for drivers, the loss of vehicles and others, were discussed at a meeting held recently. However, “as members in attendance did not arrive at complete decisions regarding these matters, another meeting will be held in the near future,” Mr Ebanks added.

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