Calls for modernization of the Virgin Islands’s taxi industry took center stage Wednesday at a town hall on St. Thomas, as senators and taxi drivers debated how to adapt to a changing transportation landscape.
“We cannot operate a 2025 taxi industry with a 1970s mindset,” said Sen. Milton E. Potter, urging the assembled drivers and association leaders to embrace new technology and evolving visitor expectations. “We have to evolve if we want to remain competitive as a tourism destination.”
“We need to also look at the use of dispatch apps or ride coordination platforms,” Sen. Kenneth L. Gitten said. “Let’s not run from the technology.”
Many taxi drivers and association representatives voiced deep reservations about the possible push for ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, as well as the proliferation of limousine operators and unlicensed taxis.
Their chief concern: that unregulated competition would undermine the territory’s established taxi fare system, known locally as the tariff, which sets standard rates for rides and helps ensure stable earnings for drivers. “If you allow that to come in, you’re killing the tariff,” said one driver, warning that outside operators could undercut regulated fares and destabilize the local market.
Underlying much of the resistance was a strong sense of local identity and skepticism about simply importing mainland models to the Virgin Islands. Speakers emphasized that the territory’s small size, close-knit community, and unique economic structure make it fundamentally different from large U.S. cities where ride-sharing apps have succeeded. “We need to stop looking at the states, because the states have millions of people. This island is only 32 square miles,” said Mason Mohammed, representing VI Taxi and himself.
He argued that the taxi industry is deeply woven into the fabric of local life, providing a pathway to entrepreneurship and generational wealth for many families. “Taxi business is the only business that some of these children, when they finish high school, can come into and be their own boss, not go working for somebody underneath Uber to take a percent from their hard work,” said Mohammed.
He also expressed concern that ride-sharing would erode the personal relationships that come from a community-based system: “Uber, you’re not going to get that same quality. You don’t know the drivers. But taxi drivers, we have to go class with each other. We have to take a test with each other. We have to make presentations. We know how to deal with the tourists. Uber don’t provide none of that.”
While there was broad agreement on the need for modernization, speakers also highlighted the unique technological and infrastructure challenges facing the territory. Adopting digital payment options is not as simple as it may seem, with drivers noting that many popular services like Zelle and Apple Pay require stateside bank accounts, which are not always accessible in the USVI.
“Most of these tourists coming down with Apple Pay or Zelle, but it’s not our fault that over here is not up to date on that,” Mohammed explained.
The conversation soon turned from technology to safety, with several speakers stressing that protecting drivers and passengers must be central to any reform. Some acknowledged that safety fears are a key reason some drivers avoid working after dark, leaving gaps in service for local residents.
The need for stronger enforcement and real-time support was a recurring theme. Participants called for GPS tracking and the use of safety apps, not only to protect drivers but also to reassure passengers. “All vehicles that are transporting passengers should be required to have some type of GPS technology installed on their vehicles and/or use some type of application to track and record their trips,” said Rashida Francis, whose family owns a medallion, also adding that such measures would help those in need of immediate assistance in emergencies.
Regulatory gaps and a shortage of enforcement officers were also highlighted as pressing concerns. The Taxicab Commission acknowledged the challenge, saying it is actively recruiting more officers and has partnered with the Virgin Islands Police Department to strengthen patrols and response efforts.
“We have put the ideas on the table. We have a draft campaign flyer and notification already completed. We’re just working in agreement with VIPD,” said Elizabeth Hansen Watley, assistant commissioner of Tourism and acting chairperson of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission Board. She described the upcoming “Safe Ride” campaign, which aims to help both residents and visitors identify authorized, safe transportation options.
The town hall revealed widespread frustration with the patchwork of rules governing the Virgin Islands’s taxi industry. Drivers argued that rising medallion prices make it harder for newcomers to enter the business, while others said the value should match the real costs of operating a taxi. Many stated that they feel taxi drivers face stricter requirements than limousine and sightseeing operators, calling the system unfair.
Adding to the confusion, several taxi associations said their franchise agreements with the Port Authority had expired, leaving them on uncertain legal ground. Others pointed to a “loophole” allowing some vehicles for hire to operate under different agencies and rules, creating an uneven playing field.
Lawmakers promised to review and update franchise agreements and regulations to ensure all operators play by the same rules. “We’re going to discuss it with the Port Authority to see what we need to do to update the law,” Gittens said.
Lawmakers and taxi drivers pointed to both local ridership and the territory’s thriving tourism industry as major factors driving the need to address transportation challenges.
“The taxi industry isn’t just a gig. It is a profession that is really the gateway to our territory,” Potter said. “Without this industry, without the men and women in this crowd here today, our tourism industry would fold.”
