Dear Editor,
I read a report in Stabroek News of May 7 headlined ‘Tuschen taxis say private cars muscling in on business.’ The article deals with complaints by hire car drivers of unfair competition from private vehicles. The report goes on to note that “another driver said that at a meeting the police commander of the division held with residents last Friday, the officer said the law enforcement officers cannot stop the private car owners from soliciting passengers.” The insurance taken out for a private vehicle does not permit the driver/owner to collect money for hire or reward, and it is a breach of that insurance policy. Persons who make use of private vehicles and pay a fee will not be covered by the insurance company if he/she is injured in an accident involving that vehicle. Anyone caught committing such an offence should be charged with breaching the insurance and the licence, and the court should perform its duty to order the disqualification from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for such period it considers reasonable, and not just for three months.
An investigation should be conducted and if the report is true immediate action should be taken to arrest the illegality.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
