The Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) has introduced a new taxi call-up system that has been praised as “smooth,” raising hopes among union leaders that it will eliminate the need for drivers to hustle or “hack” for fares.
Wesley Ferguson, President of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union, expressed optimism about the new facilities for taxi drivers. According to him, the taxi call-up system underwent testing and received approval from the union just one day before the official opening of the Nassau Cruise Port on Friday.
“We have been engaged in negotiations with the Nassau Cruise Port for the past two years regarding the taxi call-up system. They have been transparent in their dealings with the taxi union, and we have established a productive working relationship with them,” Mr. Ferguson explained.
“The system is up and running. We tested the new system on Thursday, and it operated smoothly. Taxi drivers are delighted with their new facilities. We now have a regulated system in place that eliminates the need for drivers to hustle for passengers. Passengers are directed straight from the cruise ship to the taxis through a designated lane. Once passengers enter that lane, they can be assured of getting a taxi.”
Furthermore, this new system accommodates cruise passengers who wish to take tours around New Providence. It provides them with the flexibility to choose their preferred mode of transportation upon reaching the taxi terminals. The designated holding area for taxis consists of 20 parking spots, while there are eight spots for tour buses and one spot for handicapped-accessible vehicles.
Mr. Ferguson acknowledged that some adjustments may still be necessary, but he emphasized that the port authorities are actively working alongside the union to address any issues. He mentioned that while the system functioned well with a passenger volume of 1,500 on Thursday, they need to consider how it will handle larger volumes, such as 2,500 passengers or more.
“It is natural for a new system to require some fine-tuning. Situations that we did not encounter on Thursday may arise on other days this week,” he noted. The cruise port is significantly busier than Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) due to the large number of cruise passengers arriving on a weekly basis. Consequently, over 200 dedicated taxi drivers serve the cruise port to accommodate the high demand.
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