NASSAU, The Bahamas – Minister of Transport and Aviation the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin announced in the House of Assembly, on August 8, 2012, that designated parking areas for taxis will return to the downtown area. “I am told since ‘Bay Street was Bay Street’ taxis have been allocated reserved parking on Bay Street,” Minister Hanna Martin said. “As you know, the taxi industry is an important ingredient in the tourism product offered in this country.” She added that the taxi driver is more than a driver because he or she is the “front-line face and voice of our people and our culture”.
She told the House that, despite that history of involvement and participation, she was advised that some three years ago the Taxi Union was informed that taxi parking would be removed from Bay Street on a temporary basis, so as to permit a paving exercise to take place on Bay Street. “Some three years later and, with paving and repaving and no paving, the taxi parking spots have not been reinstated,” Minister Hanna Martin said.
“I am pleased to announce that reserved parking spots will be re-instituted.” She stated that her Ministry will be engaging in dialogue with the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union to agree on the placement and numbers of parking spaces on Bay Street. “Good governance is fair and even-handed: it must never be seen to allow the interests of one sector to arise over and above the interest of other sectors,” Minister Hanna Martin said. “Sometimes it is a delicate and difficult balance; but it is the benchmark of equity.” “I expect the Ministry of Public Works to begin shortly the physical works to establish designated parking spots for taxi cab vehicles.”
