Dear Source:
I agree with Anna Clarke's commentary and idea about the Water Taxi. It is the most sensible idea, because you could literally cover the entire island and make it a lot easier to reach any point of the island. Now I know the traditional taxi drivers wouldn't like the idea because they know that it would work and they only see it as competition rather than an opportunity for them to expand their association and as a result their own lively hood and business.
Ms. Clarke's idea about purchasing shares is a good one; I also think that they could also take a portion of any dues, fees, or even fares collected to go towards the funding of developing Water Taxi service.
Everyone is resistant to change, so that is not a surprise by the current taxi drivers; however, just as resistance to change is predictable, so is change itself, if our taxi drivers don't realize that, then they will only come to the realization when it's too late, and tourists stop coming. Just as the choice to not allow Wal-Mart (the #1 company in America at the time) to come to St. Thomas was misguided and misinformed, so is the decision to not start a Water Taxi service. Everyone's first concern is always for self.
We as people always see the reasons why we shouldn't, and often never give enough thought to the many reasons why we should. Ideas of this sort are happening all through out the Caribbean by our neighbors, and as they explore and create these changes in their own countries, they continue to win many of our tourists that end up choosing their islands for their vacation destinations due to the visitor friendly infrastructure that is transportation, entertainment, competitive prices for shopping etc.
My father was a local independent taxi driver, and I know that he would welcome such a change, because he did it for the love of his passengers, and the love of his islands. My father (Anthon "Jacko" Jackson) loved being able to tell his passengers about his island, and taking them on tours that were unforgettable for them, so much so that he formed many life lasting relationships as a result of his courteous and genuine attention to customer service for his passengers, both local and visiting.
It is the selfish, stubborn and often misguided way of thinking by people such as most of the taxi drivers that keep the U.S. Virgin Islands lagging behind the rest of the world and the Caribbean, when it comes to making the changes to the way we do things, so as to benefit the territory as whole.
Tourists will not continue to come in the same numbers so long as the crime, traffic, poor taxi service, lack of clean operating public bathrooms, and many of the other integral parts of a community's infrastructure continue to be absent on our islands. These are things that are expected and should be common place in the community. These are things that mean much more to your visitors than just the beauty of the islands. We must remember that all islands in the Caribbean are equally as beautiful. Each destination has to set itself apart by offering things that make the choice of coming to the their land, one that will be unforgettable and long lasting.
Courtney Jackson
Baton Rouge, La.
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