Taxi drivers claim bullying by PH drivers

Taxi drivers say they are working in fear because they are being bullied and threatened by private hire (PH) drivers who are now boldfacedly occupying spots on different taxi stands.

They are calling on Police Commissioner Gary Griffith to intervene as the situation is becoming unbearable.

Heads of taxi drivers’ associations across TT got together on Tuesday to express their frustration.

President of the TT Taxi Drivers Network Adrian Acosta spoke on behalf of the taxi drivers during a media conference at the Macaulay Community Centre in Claxton Bay on Tuesday.

“We are being outnumbered by these PH drivers. They are illegal entities.”

Acosta said, in the past PH drivers came out at night as they tried to avoid being seen by police. But they are now telling taxi drivers they are here to stay and they are working on the stands from morning until night.

He said he was not about taking away someone's livelihood, but people must abide by the law. “If you want to be a taxi driver there is a process, and you must have your taxi badge.”

Acosta said it is the same way someone cannot wake up one morning and become a doctor or an accountant. There is a process and it is unfair to taxi drivers who went through the process.

He said PH drivers are now sending threats.

“Some of them are saying ‘Now is time for we. Allyuh have to go.’”

Acosta said some drivers are even chased off their respective stands.

He said the taxi drivers are in the process of submitting a letter to the police commissioner.