An ever-worsening and disruptive taxi situation at Magens Bay has gotten so out of hand that Bill Jowers, general manager of Magens Bay, is going to court about it.
"This isn't a new problem," Jowers said. "It's gone on for some time, and just gets worse."
The problem is that some drivers "blatantly ignore the Magens Bay Authority's rules and regulations," according to Jowers.
Taxis that venture beyond the restricted area, which is clearly marked with a sign reading "No taxis beyond this point," create the problem, he said.
"They drive wherever they want to pick up fares," he said, "and they refuse to pay the $5 fee and get in what is called the 'feed line.'" That is where taxis line up for passengers. There is no charge for dropping off passengers.
Kenneth Harmon, president of the V.I. Taxi Association, has a different point of view: "It is my firm belief that passengers should be allowed to go to both ends of the beach and be left off and picked up where they choose."
Harmon said Magens' policy of restricting the taxis to "a little circle" isn't right. "The passengers must walk to the other end of the beach if they want to get there," he said.
Jowers said that although most drivers obey the rules, enough abuse them to create serious problems. He said the "renegade" drivers hustle fares from the beach's legal taxi concession, Triple A, and become arrogant and abusive. These drivers are not all Taxi Association members but those are the "most visible," he added.
"You couldn't go to most of the hotels, the airport or the WICO dock without being part of the taxi franchise operating there," Jowers noted.
Harmon agrees that there is a problem. He doesn't see why the taxis have to line up and pay the $5 fee. He predicted that if something isn't done to resolve the matter, "things could get ugly."
Jowers said he has had to call the police on more than one occasion because of the drivers' bad behavior toward Magens personnel, other drivers and tourists.
"And their language is unbelievable," Jowers said. "It leaves an extremely bad impression on our tourists."
Jowers, through the authority's attorney, Sam Hall of Birch, deJongh, Hindels and Hall, has filed for a temporary restraining order to keep taxis out of the forbidden areas. A court date has not yet been set.
Hall has also appealed to the Taxi Commission for help. Harold M. Baker, commission executive director, said he strongly believes that "all franchises should be upheld." The matter of franchises is on the agenda for a commission meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Meantime, Harmon said he has contacted the Chamber of Commerce since the Taxi Association is a member. Chamber president John deJongh Jr. said he hopes to have a meeting with both Taxi Association and Magens representatives in the "next couple weeks" to resolve the matter "peacefully."
Harmon's last day as association president is Thursday, when Eustace Grant will take over the position. Jowers said he is "hopeful" that Grant may take a different view of the situation.
In addition to taxi troubles, Jowers said he has had to lower the boom on boom boxes and amplifiers at the beach. The noise has become so disruptive that the authority has gotten a sound meter to measure the racket.
"When too many people complain, then we take action," Jowers said. "First we cordially ask them to turn it down, and if they won't comply, we pull the electricity."
However, that's not necessarily the end of it.
"They sneak in their own generators in vans where we can't see them," he said.
Jowers lamented the situation now, as compared to the pre-boombox days of scratch bands and steel drums, and everybody joining in.
"I hate to put a damper on the noise," he said. "It's generally on the weekends, and that's most of the locals' only days off."
But, he said, people have got to respect each other.
