Meeting puts brakes on action by taxi operators

Strike action by taxi operators in the City was averted on Monday after a speedily called meeting resulted in a quick settlement.

Over the weekend taxi drivers in Bridgetown threatened to withdraw their services after a breakdown in talks to find a suitable space in Fairchild Street where they could conduct their business.

Glendon Gordan, Treasurer of the Barbados Taxi Alliance, told Barbados TODAY the situation developed after work at the Fairchild Street Vendors’ market began last year.

He said they had reached their wit’s end having to battle to find spaces to park and persistently being reported by the police.

“We have been trying now for a little while to get parking spaces for taxis… We carried our plight to the Ministry of Transport when William Duguid was the Minister of Transport but now it seems like we are getting a little bit of headway. We hope that the discussions will be able to assist us and allow us to feed our families and pay our bills.”

Describing the situation as chaotic, Gordan said, “Fairchild Street is a very hectic area in the morning and in the evenings, and the difficulty for the guy is trying to get parking space. We were constantly being pushed around and then police officers are constantly on our case especially if we stop to pick up people or load groceries.”

CEO of Haigh Communications, Joyann Haigh held a meeting with the taxi men and members of the Barbados Police Service and Barbados Fire Service to reach an agreement on the matter.

Haigh told Barbados TODAY, “They are concerned about the taxis not being returned here [Vendors’ Market]. There seems to be some miscommunication so we just have to correct it. They are supposed to be by Probyn Street by the side of the Empire.”

She said that in an effort not to disadvantage the 50- 60 taxi men who operate in that area they came together to find a solution.

“We decided that when we are constructing the kiosks for the 39 vendors, we are going to construct at least 39 car spaces. About 12 of them [car spaces] we have committed to giving to the taxis. The other spaces are for the vendors and customers.”

Haigh also disclosed that they would be seeking to allocate some dedicated space, opposite The Golden Square Freedom park.

In the meantime, she also issued an appeal to the public not to park in spaces designated for taxis.

“We’ve got to remind the public that by Probyn Street right outside the old Empire those spaces were there for many years and we want to put them back there [for taxi operators].

Haigh added they will use the assistance of the police and the Government Information Service to get the word out about not parking in the designated areas.

Meanwhile, Communications, Information and Marketing Officer with the Alliance Owners of Public Transport, Mark Haynes said that they were happy the strike action was averted.

“I am glad that we met here this morning to bring resolve to this untenable situation. We are cognizant that what now stands cannot continue and we have to look at this in a very organized and structured way. I am in concurrence with Joy Ann’s perspective in terms of bringing redress to this situation so everybody gets a chance.”

kobiebroomes@barbadostoday.bb