It’s unfortunate that all those attending a meeting about a new Public Transport Law didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to make comments about the proposal.
But you can be sure we will probably hear their complaints about the new law once it is enacted.
The proposed legislation would establish a Public Transportation Unit with a director and two deputies.
The unit would regulate the for-hire car industry to ultimately improve service.
One of the proposals is the installation of meters in each taxi. While meters would give our visitors a sense of being treated fairly, they also have the potential to make fares spike, especially when traffic is backed up.
A code of conduct for those who operate taxis and buses is also being proposed.
Oftentimes those who operate for-hire cars are the first and last people many of our visitors meet when they come to the Cayman Islands, especially those on cruise ships.
Tourists – cruisers and stayovers – are the bread and butter of the tourism product in the Cayman Islands.
They come to our shores, buy from our retailers, hire taxis, stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants and take in various activities.
The money they leave behind helps pay the wages of all of us, even those of us who are not directly in the tourism sector.
That’s why it is so important for the people they interact with to behave professionally and courteously.
Industry standards for those in the transportation industry can only help those in the business do their jobs better.
Under the proposed legislation, officers can take prompt action against drivers when they break the law or behave badly.
When our visitors have a bad experience they will quickly tell their story of misery to others when they return home.
Not only will they probably not return, they will be influencing potential future visitors into avoiding our country.
We know that customer service isn’t always easy, especially when dealing with difficult people.
But all customer service is necessary.
Through the proposed legislation it is hoped that each person who interacts with a for-hire car driver leaves with a smile on their face and a feeling of being treated fairly and honestly.
By having a good experience on our shores it is more likely that a visitor will return and leave even more money in our coffers.
Some of the for-hire drivers took copies of the proposed legislation with them.
We hope they review the proposals and give Government their input before the law is passed.
It’s best to air objections to a proposed law than wait until it has been approved in Legislative Assembly.
Oftentimes those who operate for-hire cars are the first and last people many of our visitors meet when they come to the Cayman Islands, especially those on cruise ships.
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