Police Jitney Crackdown Trigger Comment Firestorm

A firestorm of comments has been ignited over the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force’s decision to step-up its crackdown on Jitney drivers across Providenciales.

This photo taken from a Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Video, show a police officer booking a jitney driver, whose vehicle was seized.

Since there is no official public transportation system, Jitneys, for more than 20 years, have been filling that gap, as they have been patronised by persons off all levels of society, including police officers.

However, in a social media posting, earlier this week, the police said it has heightened its crackdown on jitneys, reiterating that those vehicles are operating illegally according to the law.

“Operating an unlicensed public service vehicle commonly referred to as a “jitney” is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 13:01) of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” the posting said.

The posting continued: “Section 13 of the Road Traffic Act states: (4): No public service vehicle other than a licensed taxi-cab shall stand or ply for casual hire. Any person who uses or offers a public service vehicle (not being a taxi-cab) for casual hire commits an offence.

“(5): A person convicted of an offence under this section is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

“Persons found operating a public service vehicle without the required taxi license or valid public service operator’s license may face a $1,000 fine for each offence, upon conviction, possible disqualification from driving under the Insurance Act, (and) impoundment of the vehicle used in the commission of the offence.”

The posting also pointed out that businesses, including hotels, restaurants, villas, and other establishments that promote, refer, facilitate, or knowingly enable the use of unlicensed public service vehicles, are also committing an offence and may be subject to a fine of $1,000, upon conviction.

“The use of licensed taxi operators is not only a legal requirement but also a public safety measure. Licensed taxis are regulated, insured, and subject to background checks and vehicle inspections,” the posting continued.

The police strongly encouraged the public and businesses to verify that transportation providers are properly licensed before engaging their services.

The comments triggered a great deal of supporting and dissenting comments by members of the pubic.

One person wrote: “No public transportation but we trying to stop jitneys from operating... this is backwards.”

Another wrote: “If you are going to disrupt what you have allowed to be the norm, then you need to sort that out beforehand. This is the dumbest move to date.”

Another person wrote: “The jitney system appears to be functioning effectively; it might be best to maintain the current approach until the government can implement appropriate legislation for the public taxi service, including designated roadside pick-up zones.”

Another stated: “Difficult time for work permit holders, they can’t own vehicles or take jitney, only options now are to walk or get a bicycle.”

Another person wrote: “Before time, Provo had decent “jitney” buses. Bring them back! A lot of these jitneys aren’t road worthy now.”

One writer noted: “To be fair, the quality of driving by ‘all’ Jitney drivers is appalling, so each one that is taken off the road is better.”

Another wrote: “It does beg the question, who owns the car? I don’t believe the driver is the owner, that should guide you in the right direction. Great work.”

Another wrote: “​When illegal jitneys "skim" the passengers during peak hours, they take the profit without carrying any of the regulatory costs. This creates an unlevel playing field, making it financially impossible for the legal system to expand or even maintain its fleet.”

Another writer commented: “Can I call 911 when I need a ride? Because I can't afford a $20 Taxi? This is entrapment. The people taking Jitney don't want to break the law, they don't have a viable option.”

Another person wrote: “Why is it now illegal? Jitneys been in operation since the early 90s so why is it now illegal, y’all just making up any type of laws without thinking about the outcome of it”

This person wrote: (Moving to rid the roads of jitneys) That's like locking the gate after all the cattle done out the pasture.”

While Jitneys provide an essential service by transporting hotel workers, other private sector workers and many public sector workers and students, there are rotten eggs among the lot, as drivers have been arrested and sentenced for rape of their passengers.

Jitney drivers are also referred to menaces on the road, suddenly stopping to pick up passengers, and also pulling out into the roadway ahead of onrushing traffic causing those drivers to take evasive actions.

For some of the responders to the police social media post, removing the jitneys is not the primary real issue, but the question of what public service will be offered before ridding the street of those illegal public passenger vehicles.