By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) says it will escalate action over what it calls the government’s failure to rein in livery drivers at Lynden Pindling International Airport, warning that patience among taxi drivers has run out.

BTCU president Tyrone Butler said several meetings with Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis and a Nassau Airport Development representative have produced no concrete steps to resolve the standoff. “It’s very frustrating, but I think our frustration is basically coming to an end, and I think in short order, the union is going to have to take the next step in this process, because, in our opinion, the government is not acting in good faith,” he said yesterday.

Mr Butler accused officials of disrespecting taxi drivers and allowing what he described as a “free-for-all” at the airport, arguing that lax enforcement is hurting the country’s tourism image. He did not specify the union’s next move but said the government’s stance left taxi operators “no choice” but to respond. He also criticised the silence of senior tourism officials, saying their failure to intervene has emboldened livery drivers.

The union maintains the dispute centres on the application of the Road Traffic Act. Taxi drivers say the law empowers the minister to regulate taxi stands at airports and hotels, leaving no legal space for liveries in those areas. Livery drivers counter that their vehicles operate under separate provisions and are legitimate.

The Bahamas Livery Drivers Union (BLDU) pushed back last month, accusing Mr Butler of abandoning talks and trying to force liveries out of the sector. BLDU president Tory Austin said hotel staff frequently request livery services for guests and argued Mr Butler’s position was about “taking bread out of people’s mouths.” He also highlighted wider industry concerns, including price gouging, unauthorised tours, the influx of newly issued plates and the persistence of illegal ride-share operators despite the ban.

Tensions have spilled over at the airport, with scuffles reported in the departures area, particularly in the evenings when Road Traffic officers are absent. Drivers on both sides say the market is oversaturated and blame the government for failing to enforce existing rules consistently. Mr Butler said only strict enforcement at Lynden Pindling International Airport will satisfy taxi drivers. He added that issues at the cruise port are different, involving shuttle bus franchises he described as legitimate operators rather than direct competitors.