Taxi Commission Chief Says St. Thomas Rates Remain on Dollar Ride Taxis — For Now

The executive director of the V.I. Taxi Commission says open air safari taxis servicing the public transit route on St. Thomas deserve a fare increase. But not yet, said Executive Director Vernice Gumbs in a statement issued Thursday.

The cost of a ride on the dollar ride taxi has been the subject of controversy and lively talk radio chats since June 1 when Public Works raised the fare for Virgin Islands Transit System surface transit from $1 to $2. Gumbs’ Thursday statement was issued to clarify the matter. “Although an increase is warranted, there are specific requirements that have been shared with Mr. Bernard “BJ” James, head of the “Dollar Ride” drivers, that must be met before any increase becomes effective,” the executive director said.

Until then, she said, the dollar ride rate remains as it were, since set in the early 2000s: one dollar in the west from Highway 30- Bournefield Road to Wheatley Center, and in the east from Red Hook to Ft. Mylner. Passengers crossing Raphune Hill while traveling in either direction pay $2.