Taxi Drivers Say Crippled Taxi Commission Killing Their Livelihoods

Frustrations over dysfunction at the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission spilled over at a meeting held Monday with lawmakers and the commission’s director. Simultaneous meetings were held on St. Thomas and St. John with several members of the 35th Legislature.

Complaints by taxi owners and drivers who spoke at Monday’s meeting said poor management and confusing policies were putting them out of business. While business hours at commission headquarters in Sub Base were sporadic in the past, they disappeared by mid-March when the air quality in the office reportedly declined.

About a dozen industry operators sat down with meeting organizers Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory and Senator-At-Large Angel Bolques Jr. They were joined by Senators Milton Potter, Marvin Blyden, Dwayne DeGraff, and Carla Joseph as well as Bureau of Motor Vehicles Director Barbara Jackson McIntosh.

Speaking just above a whisper in a raspy voice, commission Director Vernice Gumbs said her allergies worsened while working in the office environment. Many at the meeting strained to hear what the director had to say, but she frequently scowled at drivers who criticized her.