By Readawne Henery
Taxi drivers operating East Bank short-drop cars say that their livelihoods have been severely affected by the drastic reduction in the amount of cars now allowed to park in their allotted area.
A representative of the few drivers left, who asked to remain anonymous during an interview with Stabroek News, stated that a proposal had been made to allow them to operate from Brickdam to Hadfield streets on the western side of Cornhill Street.
A fee of $1,500 per week was agreed on to be paid to the Mayor and City Council.
However, out of the 48 cars previously operating there, only five cars are now able to fit in the space they have been allotted.
The man explained that with no place else to park, many drivers were forced to discontinue working their vehicles or operate elsewhere.
He described the majority of the drivers as elderly men and noted that they were often bullied by younger drivers and private-car owners who take up the parking places.
The frustrated driver complained that there is no orderly system and no one left to complain to since they have already visited all the relevant authorities.
The representative stated that he was recently told by a police officer in charge that all the cars at the location will be removed. He told this newspaper that he believe the statement made was disrespectful to drivers who are providing a public transportation service.
He disclosed that he has been operating as a taxi driver for 32 years.
With the small area given, he argued that there is no space for the opening of the car doors without the door extending into moving traffic or vendors on the opposite side.
When asked if they were still making the $1,500 payment to the council, the man stated that it did not make sense to make payments when only five cars were there and they could not operate freely and fairly. He added, “Some days you don’t even break even, you don’t even make back the gas that you burn.”
According to the driver, they were removed from a previous parking location after former mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, stated that she had a problem with the market where the wharf section was disintegrating and had them removed for the safety of the vendors.
However, he said because they needed to work, a proposal was made and they were consequently allotted the area previously mentioned.
A recent follow up provided this newspaper with additional information. Apparently, cars not belonging to the short-drop cars union are still occupying the lots given. Up to yesterday between the hours of 7:30 am and 9:30am only three cars were able to fit, due to two non-union cars parking in the area.
The man who spoke on behalf of the drivers, stated that he is at the point of giving up.
He further commented on the system of having to circle the area based on instructions from the police officers on duty, even when there is an empty space to allow the driver to reverse into the line.
When Stabroek News contacted Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick, she explained that the drivers had visited the Mayor and City Council on Friday last and raised their concerns of the space being downsized. However, Jerrick related that the council was not informed of the action carried out by the police and assured that the council did not implement the action.
Meanwhile, Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram stated that he was unaware of such action being taken and that in fact, it was new to him.
Stabroek News had reported that when the drivers returned to work on Friday they were greeted with a reduction in their operating space by almost three-quarters, with only five cars being accommodated.
A letter to the Stabroek News published on November 14 had stated that this situation was unfair to the drivers, and questioned where they were supposed to operate for a daily living, especially since the country is facing a COVID-19 crisis.
The letter added that the drivers were pleading with the minister, the mayor, the town clerk, and those responsible for the reduction of the car park, to review the decision taken.
“We are elderly drivers who will not be employed by any company at this time of the year. We have bills to pay, instalments and rent, we ask the relevant authorities to look into the matter urgently.”
