DASPA threatens legal action against persons plying for hire without permits

Benoit Bardouille
Bardouille says a number of persons who ply for hire have been operating without permits

The Dominica Air and Seaport Authority (DASPA) will now strictly enforce airport regulations, pertaining to plying for hire, Chief Executive (CEO), Benoit Bardouille, has announced.

In a recent statement, Bardouille referenced airport regulations in relation to plying for hire, noting that several persons do so without the required permit.

“Section 47.01 of the Melville Hall regulations stipulates that persons plying for hire should have a permit from the airport manger, and what we have observed is that a number of persons have been operating without the permits, as required by law,” he said.

He underscored that this rule does not apply to members of the public who visit the airport to pick up their families and friends. Rather, it governs persons who “come to the airport, and have people pay them for a trip to or from the airport.”

The illegal practice, Bardouille said, robs members of the Airport Taxi Association, who abide by the regulations, of the opportunity to obtain more passengers.

“What we are seeking to do is ensure that the Airport Taxi Association persons, who are plying for a living, who pay their licenses to the airport, have the business that comes from the airport if people wish to hire a vehicle,” he explained. “But what we’ve seen also is a number of taxi drivers who have not applied, or were not given a permit, are, in fact doing that; and we want them to desist from doing that.”

Bardouille warned that those who do not comply, will be charged in accordance with the law, and be prosecuted before the magistrate’s court.

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22 Comments

  1. Jonathan St Jean
    July 6, 2016

    In advanced societies,where civil servants know that they are there to serve and not to be lord and masters over the populace,eg in Philadelphia,the birthplace of democracy in America,there is consultation and involvement of the public is aggressively sought,before any new law is implemented or even if it’s just a new street light to be erected.On the other hand these Lords and masters in place in Dominica,just tell us what the new law is going to be ,and threaten the public with jail if they don’t comply.It’s time for those people to see themselves as civil servants again and not as CEO’ s of some corporation called Dominica.

  2. Thomian
    July 6, 2016

    Mr. Bardouille this is pure bull. So why is it the Taxi drivers are picking up persons who are on other errands other than going to the airport? Once your vehicle is a hired vehicle I believe you are obliged to pick up any passenger from anywhere.

  3. Favoured
    July 6, 2016

    The CEO has part of the legislation wrong. Whereas,the law forbids soliciting or plying for business at the airport’s without an authorized airport permit the law does not and cannot bar persons whether on private vehicles or otherwise from entering the airport compound for legitimate reasons. There. are many families and friends whose form of income is in the public transport business. The bread winner of the family may be a bus driver or taxi driver whose only form of transport for family errands is the very same bus or taxi he uses for work. Are we saying to pick up his wife, family or friend he would require to rent a vehicle or fetch a taxi? Especially if the individual lives somewhere in the country side. What obtains in the real world is that such operators need to indicate that they are off duty so it is clear that they are not for hire. But to amuse that because I drive a hired vehicle to the airport I am doing so to solicit is very presumtuous and unfair to me.

  4. Dominican
    July 6, 2016

    Why can’t we have a scheduled bus service for the airport as well, A proper bus like a coaster that can carry luggage in a separate compartment. We could start with two routes, one between Roseau and Melville Hall and the other one from Portsmouth with designated stops on the way. Not everyone can pay $100/one way, often cramped into a minivan with luggage unsecured. This would give people a choice, either use the airport bus or hire a private taxi. And what about those that work at the airport or have business there, not being passengers? Are they not allowed to take a non-licenced transport to take them to work for payment? This whole thing needs to be properly planned and not just a knee-jerk reaction for the benefit for someone that has a vested interest in airport taxi business. Service and choice for passengers and airport visitors must always come first.

  5. Reasoning
    July 6, 2016

    :?: What are you all people on this island awaiting,till this illegal rogue government gets rid of you all,when you’ll not be able to take any action? This illegal rogue and thug government continues to demonstrate all kinds of evil and oppression on the backs of these people and the people yet to rise up against this illegal rogue and thugs posing as government! Don’t you all people see that these thugs need to be gotten rid of before they get rid of you people? The level of ignorance amongst the people is incredibly high!

  6. Zandoli
    July 6, 2016

    Stop talking and apply to he law. After a couple of drivers get charged the message will get through very quickly.

  7. Independent Observer
    July 6, 2016

    The laws in DA seem to be only for some, but El Roi is a just God & sees all.

  8. Titiwi
    July 5, 2016

    – the regulations apply to Melville Hall and not Douglas Charles. Ironically, since the official legal name is still Melville Hall these regulations would apply to the existing airport.
    – the regulations constitute a monopoly by taxi operators, who are licenced by the airport authority. The question is who gets such a licence and on what basis? Obviously, if the number is restricted they become a prized a commodity and should be made available to all applicants against payment of a standard fee.
    – I would like to see the fares to each main destination prominently displayed at the arrivals at the airport., say to Portsmouth, Calibishie, Canefield, Roseau , Grandbay etc. It should be a fare per vehicle and not per passenger with the max. no of passengers marked on the vehicle. If not, they should be equiped with meters.
    – It must be possible for anyone with a vehicle for hire (H reg.) to carry people fro- and to the airport provided they are not paid for doing so (family & friends).

  9. B VIDAL
    July 5, 2016

    we hope the permit is just not for only for goverment supers i hope not we are waiting

  10. john Paul
    July 5, 2016

    Mr. Well Bad You are talking about apples and Oranges. You are talking about the Airport Taxi Association getting more business but if all those who apply are given licences by the airport Manager the only entity that stands to benefit would be the Government.The Airport Taxi Association would be back at square one since those Taxis now duly registered and issued licences can ply legally !
    Over whose eyes are You trying to pull that wool?

  11. cost us less
    July 5, 2016

    There are more important things that you can play a major role in. One by-stander said you should use the nostrils to detect drug trafficking at the airport.

  12. neal
    July 5, 2016

    This is ridiculous to the highest. Are you saying that they will tell you who to hire to take you to the airport? How do they know that the person who is dropping/picking you is not a relative and the only transportation available is a hired vehicle? Are they going to prevent you from getting access to the airport because they presume that you have contracted someone who is not a airport taxi operator? Who gives anyone the authority to dictate who I should do business with. Please people don’t make us look more ridiculous than we would want to look..

  13. July 5, 2016

    that law is not a new law and it should be understood and comply with however what happens when a family member of some who has a hired vehicle on arrangement does have to pick up or drop off at the airport? on the understanding he does not have be in the area designated for airport taxi?

  14. July 5, 2016

    A hired vehicle should be able to pick up passangers anywhere, the only thing is the buses should only charge the fixed fee from one place to another, while there should be taximeters on the taxi or a government fixed price

  15. 1979 is now #stop the fliping hypocrisy!!
    July 5, 2016

    man where were you to highlight the fact that we have an airport operating without appropriate medical facilities….you come here beating on the backs of the small fry…… you people just sit on your pedestal gaining weight and doing nothing that makes an impact to the rest of humanity….what happen?? one of your drinking buddies tired complain to you about some other poor soul that trying to eat too??? man crawl back under some rock somewhere..

  16. Imelda
    July 5, 2016

    That’s at Melville Hall though. What do the rules say about plying for hire at Douglas-Charles? If the Dominican populace is smart they will carry on as with their business, as technically the laws apply to MELVILLE HALL but not Douglas-Charles. Until that is changed, Bardouille can’t do shit.

    Learn your legal rights Dominicans.

    • forreal
      July 5, 2016

      so what you are implying that the date of the said law when it was passed should be changed to 2016 to?you see when the police decide that they are zero tolerance with you all ignorance,you all does cry skerrit is a dictator, de blame game tactics,but is you all same words and writings that causes the police to get involve in anything you all doing.

      • Imelda
        July 5, 2016

        The entire wording has to change to reflect Douglas-Charles since that is the name of the airport…well they say that is the name but it has not legally been changed, has it? Does the immigration stamp say Melville Hall or Douglas-Charles?

      • bultrunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
        July 5, 2016

        sir it appears that u apparently know very little about the law!!!

      • Sams Gutter
        July 6, 2016

        Dumba…change the name of the airport attached to the law, not the date

    • July 6, 2016

      We all know where Melville Hall airport is. If you are saying that it has not officially changed to Douglas-charles airport and therefore people have the right to violate the law u are mistaken. So don’t try this silly legal acrobatics, as violators will b charged under the law that states Melville Hall airport, as according to u that is the official name.

  17. K. Anselm
    July 5, 2016

    Simple….Post signs …notice of the offense you know who these offenders are……prosecute them….you have police stationed at the Airport …..

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