The National Taxi Union (NTU) has, for the first time, won the ground transportation contract for the St Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. Under the agreement, the NTU will handle shuttle services for artists, dignitaries, and other officials, transporting them from the airport and across the island during this year’s event.
This milestone follows discussions with tourism officials and is credited to the efforts of the NTU’s Public Relations Officer, David Christopher, and President Terry Valcin, with support from the union’s executive body.
“We never had this before,” Christopher told St Lucia Times. “[The contract] was normally given out to DMCs (Destination Management Companies) – the ground transportation handlers, but now it’s come to the NTU, which was newly formed and newly established. So, it’s big for us.”
The NTU sees the contract as a gateway to new markets and business opportunities, particularly during the cruise off-season.
“Some of these guys wouldn’t have much to do so it’s additional work coming in for the taxi sector in the offseason and I really want to thank the Ministry of Tourism and Event Saint Lucia for really placing that confidence in us so we can execute this on a high level,” Christopher said.
He said that while standard taxi vehicles will be used for the shuttle service transporting jazzgoers to the main stage event at Pigeon Island, the NTU is coordinating with members across the island with access to luxury vehicles.
“We’re liaising with all our members around the island, who have the Escalades, the BMWs and other high-end vehicles to transport the artists and dignitaries,” Christopher said.
