Rural taxi operators angry about changes

The Editor, Sir:

The Rural Taxi Association/Portland Taxi Association is an umbrella group for taxi operators in the parish of Portland. Since its inception, the Rural Taxi Association/Portland Taxi Association has been processing documents for its members at the Transport Authority Maxfield Avenue main office without any problems.

Recently, the licensing manager, Ms Maxine Belford indicated to us, without any discussion or explanation, that we should use the Tower Isle office in St Mary. We sought audience with the managing director in writing to have a meeting to address the matter. To date, there has been no response. We subsequently wrote the chairman.

Unprofessional approach

This behaviour is a clear indication of how the Transport Authority frequently imposes drastic measures and unreasonable changes in the system that always create hardship, difficulties and unnecessary inconvenience to us. We find the approach of the Transport Authority extremely unprofessional and dismissive.

A meeting with the authority would provide us with an opportunity to vent concerns and get some form of understanding, but such a respectful approach does not characterise this board. Their approach, more often than not, is high-handed, non-consultative, dismissive and dictatorial. To foster a relationship with the taxi association does not seem to be of any importance.

The authority seems to be hell-bent on creating and fostering an adversarial situation. Our hope is that bringing this matter to your attention may trigger a response from the Transport Authority so that dialogue can be pursued with a view to remedying the situation.

lambert Campbell

Rural Taxi Association