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Berbice taxi drivers cry foul, as private cars eat into earnings
…accused authorities of failing to curb rampant unlawful passenger service
(Kaieteur News) – Hire car drivers operating along the New Amsterdam-Corentyne route are expressing growing frustration over what they describe as rampant illegal competition from private vehicle operators, a situation they say is steadily destroying their livelihoods.
On Thursday, several drivers renewed calls for authorities to crack down on private cars allegedly operating as taxis while evading the regulations and costs imposed on licenced hire car operators.
The drivers who ply the New Amsterdam to Corentyne route, provide services within measured distances from New Amsterdam to between Rose Hall and Skeldon. Their primary locations established over the years in New Amsterdam for passengers are adjacent to the New Amsterdam Market and nearby One Communications on Strand.
Several Berbice drivers at the Corentyne Car Park in New Amsterdam.
Ironically, the park which occupies space nearby GTT, is mere feet away from the Central Police Station, which enforces traffic laws.
Atherley McDonald, a driver for 15 years, travels between New Amsterdam and Skeldon. His concern pertains to the prevailing presence of private vehicles blatantly positioned at the Corentyne Car Park, reserved for himself and other certified hire car drivers.
“I’m just asking the Home Affairs Minister, the Police Commissioner, the Police Commander (of Region Six), please look into this matter for us…we are looking to get some assistance from the higher authorities…these private cars working on a day-to-day basis just like a hire car.”
“The gas price raise, you go to the workshop, it (the cost) raise, you go simply to air your car wheel, is 1000 to fix,” he stated.
He explained that himself and his colleagues are expected to operate within legal bounds, while the private cars operate at random.
The situation remains unchanged, according to Ivor Dhuman. The New Amsterdam to Skeldon driver said that the private cars in excess on the road seeking to derail the hire cars, and that the police is not responding to the situation in a manner that would deter such illegalities.
A section of the Corentyne Car Park in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
To compound it, he noted, “and the gas consumption is very high. The cost of living is very high in this place…if you ask them (passengers) for a lil 300 extra, they making a problem over it.”
Dhuman wants the authorities to take the private hires off the road.
Another affected driver, Delroy Watts, told reporters that the private car drivers are even boldly exacting a higher fare. Operating the New Amsterdam to Skeldon route, Watts said he and his colleagues would charge $2000 fare.
Moreover, Watts said that the vehicles are noncompliant with tint regulations that they themselves have committed to abiding by.
“The private cars that working on the road, they very dark. We reported several times, nobody never look into it.”
The claim that their complains were not considered was disputed by Police Division ‘B’ Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Shivpersaud Bacchus, as well as the head of the Region’s Traffic Department, Assistant Superintendent Charles Hooke.
Speaking to the media, Bacchus said that his office has not received any formal complaints. This does not translate to any complacency on part of the police, he explained, adding that operations relevant to such concerns have been carried out.
“We would have conducted enforcement exercises throughout the region, and if the private car is being stopped by the police, usually we do charge those persons for operating private hire.”
The commander did highlight a simple challenge when confronting such situations. He explained that as private cars are pulled over, the occupants would affirm that they are simply being given a lift.
“For us to properly prosecute those matters, we have to have statements from persons within that vehicle,” Commander Bacchus stated.
Indicating that the traffic department is aware of taxi bases utilizing private cars, Hooke urged individuals to report the vehicle information to the police, even as he reminded that private hire is an offense.
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