Taxi franchises have always been a political issue. The transportation system plays an important role in our economic development and can act as a barometer to how far we have progressed socially.

I had an experience with taxi NP1048 on the day before Lynden Pindling's birthday which gave me pause. I arrived on a Bahamasair flight from Fort Lauderdale with my wife at about 11:30 P.M. After clearing Customs we went outside and asked a group of cab drivers if a cab was available. They responded that there was not a large enough cab available. We had two regular-sized suitcases and two carry-on bags. These easily fit in a normal-sized car (That's how we got them to the airport and in the end that's how we took them home.).

The cab drivers tried calling up a cab and taxi NP1048 showed up at the same time. We waved to him. He literally sauntered up to us displaying an attitude that was unbecoming to say the least. He looked us up and down and started saying "hmmmmmm". My wife was having none of this and she went inside to call home to have someone come to pick up us. I told the cab drivers I would report their behaviour.

To further compound matters a white couple came out of the terminal. The driver of NP1048 rushed over to them, curtseying the whole way, opened his van door for them, loaded their luggage, and took them to wherever they went. The other cab drivers were so embarassed they then promised to get someone to take us home. They wanted to know where I was going. At this point I would have walked home rather than ride with any of them. I told them they did not need to know where I was going. The time to ask me that would have been when I was seated in the cab.

What we have here are several social issues. We have struggling taxi drivers racially profiling clients. We have black on black racism.

We also have a situation where many taxis do not have working meters and they know they can cheat or intimidate tourists. So they prefer to carry tourists and they basically rob them.

Maybe not finally, we have poor people standing around ignoring income that approaches them and then wondering why they are poor, why things are so tough.

We need to clean up the taxi business. We need to introduce competition. It is unfair for a few people to have opportunity and many who want it to be denied. Anyone, who can pass the tests to certify themselves as taxi drivers should be given permission to drive taxis. Anyone who has a vehicle that meets the requirements should be allowed to pay the government's fees and get a taxi plate. Competitiion will force an increase in standards. Government should ensure that taxis perform to acceptable standards.

I guess I was so angry because when we were about to depart Ft. Lauderdale my wife said she was going to call home to have someone pick us up. I told her not to - we can catch a cab. My reasoning for wanting to take a cab was and is simple - the more money moves around the better it is for the economy. I feel when money stops moving, someone has or develops a problem.

The taxi drivers at the airport are busy building their own problems. On the back of this we need to be mindful that all taxi drivers do not display the bad attitude and bad manners displayed by the driver to Taxi NP1048.

long time no see Ebo. well i have only used the taxi service once and that was my trip returning from Atlanta and i have experienced the same problems although not as extreme. i eventually was forced to catch the cab and the driver had the audacity to tell me and my brother that we were not allowed to open the windows. after two minutes of un-bearable heat i opened both windows (why should i pay for a ride in a sauna?). this is why most bahamians park their car at the airport during their trips.

I use a taxi every time I need to get home after a flight overseas. I have had only a few problems - the funniest one was when the driver sang Gospel songs all the way from the airport to my home out east. He had a nice voice so it was not that bad. When he asked me about my faith, I told him I was a Buddhist. He said, that his Mother was a Baptist too! (I guess some people can't hear some words.)

There is one thing that bothers me. I am white and most drivers think I am a tourist. They greet me with a smile and a "welcome to Nassau!" When I tell them where I want to go they soon realize that I am not a tourist. The smile fades and a dull silence sets in (except of course for the singing driver.) They give the impression that transporting locals is a imposition. Or perhaps it is because we locals know how much the fare, and the tip, should be??? Hate to think that but............

Welcome back Ebo :tup:
Yes I agree that competition is needed. I would suggest that we introduce a 24 hours Jitney service like they have in Jamaica and elsewhere. I remember a few days after the September 11th 2001 the very same cab drivers that refused to take locals home where begging for the job.

A 24 hour Jitney service will show clearly to taxi drivers all over Nassau that the value of the local Bahamian dollar and the tourists' are the same and in doing so might change some attitudes.

There is one thing that bothers me. I am white and most drivers think I am a tourist. They greet me with a smile and a "welcome to Nassau!" When I tell them where I want to go they soon realize that I am not a tourist. The smile fades and a dull silence sets in (except of course for the singing driver.) They give the impression that transporting locals is a imposition. Or perhaps it is because we locals know how much the fare, and the tip, should be??? Hate to think that but............

Sad to say CG but this is the norm.
I worked in the hotel industry for four years and when I left it was worse than how I met it. One of the most difficult things for a hotel employee who doesn't own a car and works the night shift is getting a cab to take them home. I have witnessed employees who have knocked off at 12am still waiting on a taxi until the early morning hours and at the same time there is a line of empty taxis at the front door of the hotel.

I pray for my people to be delivered from this mentality one day.

It has been many years since I have been 'home' and I am glad to find this out about the taxi service. Here in the US, many taxi drivers work for a particular company and lease their vehicles from that company. The prices are regulated for all of them to where they cannot charge any different from one person or the other. Of course, that does not stop them from being 'selective' in whom they say they are available to so to me it looks like they need a definate attitude adjustment.
I have also read in my postings online about being aware of taxi drivers and their 'antics' so I am prepared to sit in the airport (if allowed) and wait for someone that I know to come fetch me.
It is a horrific shame that the majority of taxi drivers are being so discrimitive on the 'color of skin' when rendering service. It may take me a little longer to get where I am going but I am going to be very selective in which driver I allow to gain any money from me.
I do hope that there is a way for them to be charged for discrimination. To be honest, I feel that their license should be in jeopardy when doing such a thing. Reform is definately needed. Take the Bull by the Horn!!!!

I do hope that there is a way for them to be charged for discrimination. To be honest, I feel that their license should be in jeopardy when doing such a thing. Reform is definately needed. Take the Bull by the Horn!!!!

doubt it, there is alot of discrimination in the Bahamas, such as sexual discrimination, which goes both ways depending on which industry. But they should do something about all discrimination as it is rediculous.

doubt it, there is alot of discrimination in the Bahamas, such as sexual discrimination, which goes both ways depending on which industry. But they should do something about all discrimination as it is rediculous.

It is also against the law! But who is watching out for us? Perhaps we need a Government!

I've been overcharged numerous times when riding in a Nassau taxi. In particular, a $45 dollar trip from the airport to Bay Street is ridiculous, particluarly when I wait at a store for the driver to get a drink! I told him that for the price, he is in jeopardy of losing a tip, to which he responded that that is the way it is, so live with it.

Prior to my exiting the vehicle, he passes me a home made business card saying, 'You call me for every taxi you need' in more of a command than a question.

I made a point of taking his card, taking out my lighter, and burning his card while he watched. There is no excuse for this treatment and it must be stopped.

Between the union bickering, the protest against hotels and restaurants providing free shuttles, and the horrible attitude that seems to be on the increase, taxis will find themselves unemployed as people go to more effort to avoid them.

I've been overcharged numerous times when riding in a Nassau taxi. In particular, a $45 dollar trip from the airport to Bay Street is ridiculous, particluarly when I wait at a store for the driver to get a drink! I told him that for the price, he is in jeopardy of losing a tip, to which he responded that that is the way it is, so live with it.

Prior to my exiting the vehicle, he passes me a home made business card saying, 'You call me for every taxi you need' in more of a command than a question.

I made a point of taking his card, taking out my lighter, and burning his card while he watched. There is no excuse for this treatment and it must be stopped.

Between the union bickering, the protest against hotels and restaurants providing free shuttles, and the horrible attitude that seems to be on the increase, taxis will find themselves unemployed as people go to more effort to avoid them.

The next time, before you get in the taxi, ask the diver how much it will cost to take you to your destination. That is what I do. If the price seems to high, I ask for another driver.

The next time, before you get in the taxi, ask the diver how much it will cost to take you to your destination. That is what I do. If the price seems to high, I ask for another driver.


I guess I'll have to do that, CG. I quit smoking, so I don't carry a lighter anymore!

Taxi franchises have always been a political issue. The transportation system plays an important role in our economic development and can act as a barometer to how far we have progressed socially.

I had an experience with taxi NP1048 on the day before Lynden Pindling's birthday which gave me pause. I arrived on a Bahamasair flight from Fort Lauderdale with my wife at about 11:30 P.M. After clearing Customs we went outside and asked a group of cab drivers if a cab was available. They responded that there was not a large enough cab available. We had two regular-sized suitcases and two carry-on bags. These easily fit in a normal-sized car (That's how we got them to the airport and in the end that's how we took them home.).

The cab drivers tried calling up a cab and taxi NP1048 showed up at the same time. We waved to him. He literally sauntered up to us displaying an attitude that was unbecoming to say the least. He looked us up and down and started saying "hmmmmmm". My wife was having none of this and she went inside to call home to have someone come to pick up us. I told the cab drivers I would report their behaviour.

To further compound matters a white couple came out of the terminal. The driver of NP1048 rushed over to them, curtseying the whole way, opened his van door for them, loaded their luggage, and took them to wherever they went. The other cab drivers were so embarassed they then promised to get someone to take us home. They wanted to know where I was going. At this point I would have walked home rather than ride with any of them. I told them they did not need to know where I was going. The time to ask me that would have been when I was seated in the cab.

What we have here are several social issues. We have struggling taxi drivers racially profiling clients. We have black on black racism.

We also have a situation where many taxis do not have working meters and they know they can cheat or intimidate tourists. So they prefer to carry tourists and they basically rob them.

Maybe not finally, we have poor people standing around ignoring income that approaches them and then wondering why they are poor, why things are so tough.

We need to clean up the taxi business. We need to introduce competition. It is unfair for a few people to have opportunity and many who want it to be denied. Anyone, who can pass the tests to certify themselves as taxi drivers should be given permission to drive taxis. Anyone who has a vehicle that meets the requirements should be allowed to pay the government's fees and get a taxi plate. Competitiion will force an increase in standards. Government should ensure that taxis perform to acceptable standards.

I guess I was so angry because when we were about to depart Ft. Lauderdale my wife said she was going to call home to have someone pick us up. I told her not to - we can catch a cab. My reasoning for wanting to take a cab was and is simple - the more money moves around the better it is for the economy. I feel when money stops moving, someone has or develops a problem.

The taxi drivers at the airport are busy building their own problems. On the back of this we need to be mindful that all taxi drivers do not display the bad attitude and bad manners displayed by the driver to Taxi NP1048.



I don't think its so much race as to where you call home.
My wife and I came home from a trip to Atlanta and were greeted by taxi drivers looking for a fare. As soon as we gave our local address they vanished. We ended up having to wait for the last cab it felt like. Tourist were greeted and whisked off while we just stood there dumb found.

doubt it, there is alot of discrimination in the Bahamas, such as sexual discrimination, which goes both ways depending on which industry. But they should do something about all discrimination as it is rediculous.

Well said Rory

Well said Rory


I have a question for you Vicky.

Should a person change their moral standards to please others? Why or why not?

Disband the union and you will be able to clean up the business, it is as simple as that.