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Tourists Call for Taxi Reform, Rideshare Options and Better Payment Systems in Virgin Islands

Visitors departing the Virgin Islands have reported concerns about fluctuating taxi fares and uncertainty over which transportation operators they can trust, prompting recommendations for stronger regulation, expanded payment options and rideshare services. Senator Marvin Blyden says he intends to introduce legislation aimed at bringing unregulated transportation operators under greater government oversight. The concerns were outlined Tuesday during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture by Bernesha Liburd, senior project analyst at the Bureau of Economic Research. Ms. Liburd said feedback collected through visitor exit surveys indicated that informal taxi operators, commonly referred to as "gypsy" drivers, should be “brought into compliance” and that “alternate options of payment must be enforced.” Visitors also recommended allowing rideshare services for “one to three passengers” and modernizing existing taxi fare structures. According to Ms. Libu...