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Gypsy Taxi Crackdown #188890
03/27/2019 04:23 PM
03/27/2019 04:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline OP
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ruralcarrier  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio


J.D.
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Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #188897
03/27/2019 07:23 PM
03/27/2019 07:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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Auburn, WA
Good if it actually is enforced.

Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #188922
03/28/2019 09:54 AM
03/28/2019 09:54 AM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
S
SammyM Offline
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I suppose this is a good thing, but there are two sides to every story. I believe since Irma some individuals have turned their personal vehicles into 'unofficial taxis' to help earn money for themselves and their families. In fact, I'm sure of this. Many people on St. Maarten are still suffering economically, and making money in this 'unofficial' manner was an alternative for them. I'm not saying this is right, because there are many concerns here. If they are not licensed as taxi drivers you can't be certain about who's driving you from point A to point B. And, what their background is. Do they carry the proper insurance should an accident occur, and if their passengers are injured is another concern.

When taking a taxi on SXM my advice is to ask and verify that they work for a licensed taxi company on the island. This is especially true for day visitors from cruise ships who often forego the overpriced shore excursions offered by the cruise lines and plan to explore on their own when they make port in Philipsburg.

Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #188925
03/28/2019 10:11 AM
03/28/2019 10:11 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Colorado
sxmbeachlover Offline
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As I recall, the legitimate taxi says "taxi" on their license plate.


Famous Quote from SBHonline: The best moderation is the least moderation.
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: SammyM] #188928
03/28/2019 10:15 AM
03/28/2019 10:15 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline OP
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This has been going on WAY prior to Irma but it is probably more rampant now though. The "official" taxis belong to an association, pay dues, have valid plates and ID's and are required to have insurance and MOST are really good people. We have know several for almost 28 years now. Some of the casinos and restaurants will have a "driver" deliver people back to their place of lodging and many of those do not have valid credentials.

One of the things the "gypsy" drivers will often say when you question them not having a taxi plate, "My taxi is in the shop and I am using my other car". They are misleading people. Just having a taxi sign on top of the vehicle or in the front window is no assurance it is a licensed taxi or driver. Look for the "TAXI" license plate, both Dutch and French side have specific taxi plates and ask for a taxi association ID if in doubt. You may also see an expired TAXI plate laying in the window, this is another way the deceive people. They buy an old souvenir plate and they think they are in business.

There is no "licensed taxi company" that I am aware but there are multiple taxi associations the drivers can belong to and usually wear an associated shirt and ID. There are probably at least 4-6 different taxi associations and many of the drivers belong to multiple. There are probably some transportation agencies that employ taxi drivers but it is not like you can call a "Yellow Cab Company" for a driver.

Many of the gypsies will work just outside the cruise ship pier, bars, restaurants and casinos at night. Most are probably ok but they are also hurting the drivers who do this as a legitimate job and pay the fees associated with legally doing the job. Sorry, illegal is illegal.


J.D.
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: sxmbeachlover] #188929
03/28/2019 10:17 AM
03/28/2019 10:17 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
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Ohio
Originally Posted by sxmbeachlover
As I recall, the legitimate taxi says "taxi" on their license plate.

Dutch side, Yes "TAXI".

French side I believe is "TXI" somewhere in the license plate number.


J.D.
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #188930
03/28/2019 10:21 AM
03/28/2019 10:21 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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JD--you are correct. Illegal is illegal, and this stuff was going on WAY before Irma. I remember a few years ago, a gypsy taxi driver murdered a person in SXM. Can't remember all the details, but I think it was a robbery gone wrong. It's not worth potentially saving a couple bucks if you get robbed or worse.


Carol Hill
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #188932
03/28/2019 11:32 AM
03/28/2019 11:32 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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St Maarten
The new plates this year on Ditch side no longer say TAXI. They are just T with a #. T-100


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #188933
03/28/2019 11:32 AM
03/28/2019 11:32 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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I remember that as well, Carol, though I don’t remember or perhaps never knew if they caught the guy. I just hope this one isn’t more talk. Talk. Talk!


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BillandElaine] #188934
03/28/2019 11:37 AM
03/28/2019 11:37 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Elaine--thanks for the update, as for years, we tourists knew to look for TAXI.


Carol Hill
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BillandElaine] #188935
03/28/2019 11:42 AM
03/28/2019 11:42 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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Good info.

Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BillandElaine] #188936
03/28/2019 11:48 AM
03/28/2019 11:48 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
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Thanks. I saw some like that and wondered what they were for sure.


J.D.
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #188938
03/28/2019 12:20 PM
03/28/2019 12:20 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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St Maarten
I think the buses just say "B" now also.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BillandElaine] #188939
03/28/2019 12:24 PM
03/28/2019 12:24 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline OP
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Ohio
There was still a mix of old and new plates when I was recently on the island.


J.D.
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: Carol_Hill] #188941
03/28/2019 12:49 PM
03/28/2019 12:49 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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BeachKitten  Offline
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
JD--you are correct. Illegal is illegal, and this stuff was going on WAY before Irma. I remember a few years ago, a gypsy taxi driver murdered a person in SXM. Can't remember all the details, but I think it was a robbery gone wrong. It's not worth potentially saving a couple bucks if you get robbed or worse.



LINK

I fixed your link to make it "clickable".

Last edited by ruralcarrier; 03/28/2019 03:54 PM.

"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #188943
03/28/2019 01:13 PM
03/28/2019 01:13 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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Portland, OR
BeachKitten's link:

LINK


[Linked Image]
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: jazzgal] #188952
03/28/2019 03:55 PM
03/28/2019 03:55 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline OP
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Ohio
I guess we were both fixing the link at the same time.

Thank you.


J.D.
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BillandElaine] #188956
03/28/2019 04:22 PM
03/28/2019 04:22 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,258
Kennys Offline
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Kennys  Offline
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Not correct Elaine . Still Taxi and the T is for Tour Buses.

Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: Kennys] #188958
03/28/2019 04:31 PM
03/28/2019 04:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline OP
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ruralcarrier  Offline OP
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Ohio
Thanks Lesley. I did recall seeing "T" on larger vehicles/busses and wondered what it was about.


J.D.
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #188963
03/28/2019 05:57 PM
03/28/2019 05:57 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,258
Kennys Offline
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Kennys  Offline
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Welcome Sir.

Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BillandElaine] #189091
03/29/2019 07:56 PM
03/29/2019 07:56 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Lesley is absolutely right, as always! My bad, thanks for the correction.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #189110
03/30/2019 07:03 AM
03/30/2019 07:03 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline OP
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio


J.D.
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #189121
03/30/2019 07:56 AM
03/30/2019 07:56 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Maho is a mess with taxi's and buses lining the street by the roundabout. Someone's gonna get hurt!


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BillandElaine] #189124
03/30/2019 09:04 AM
03/30/2019 09:04 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,258
Kennys Offline
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Kennys  Offline
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Posts: 5,258
Welcome my Dear.

Gypsy Taxi Crackdown #189134
03/30/2019 10:48 AM
03/30/2019 10:48 AM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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BeachKitten  Offline
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Maryland/DC Metro
Question: If we hit "ignore" on a profile, does that mean that we would no longer see that person's posting on a thread?


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BeachKitten] #189136
03/30/2019 10:50 AM
03/30/2019 10:50 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Originally Posted by BeachKitten
Question: If we hit "ignore" on a profile, does that mean that we would no longer see that person's posting on a thread?

I would like to know too.

Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BeachKitten] #189138
03/30/2019 11:10 AM
03/30/2019 11:10 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline OP
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ruralcarrier  Offline OP
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Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Not sure as I do not see that option, unless I am missing it. As a Moderator, I am probably not seeing the same options as there are other options Administrators and Moderators may see. Perhaps Carol or Eric can answer this.


J.D.
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: ruralcarrier] #189139
03/30/2019 11:14 AM
03/30/2019 11:14 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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I think that's what it's for, Eric would know, but he's offline for several hours. Try it and see what happens, BeachKitten and Scubaman. You can always switch it back off.


Carol Hill
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: Carol_Hill] #189141
03/30/2019 11:21 AM
03/30/2019 11:21 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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Thanks. Might give it a try. Toxic comments that make no sense isn't a great way to start the morning off.

Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: SXMScubaman] #189143
03/30/2019 11:23 AM
03/30/2019 11:23 AM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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BeachKitten  Offline
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Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
Thanks. Might give it a try. Toxic comments that make no sense isn't a great way to start the morning off.


I hear ya dude! That was my thinking....I'm sitting on the patio, enjoying a warm Spring morning with my coffee, and the first thing I read is crap. I'd rather not be exposed to it or allow myself to respond... wink

But if we test it, how do we know it works?! lol.....I mean, wouldn't we need to know that there was a post we weren't seeing?!


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: BeachKitten] #189144
03/30/2019 11:27 AM
03/30/2019 11:27 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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Well. I'm thinking if it's blocked that it should block the previous posts from that poster too. Only way is to give it a try. Carol said we could always turn it back off.

Re: Gypsy Taxi Crackdown [Re: SXMScubaman] #189145
03/30/2019 11:29 AM
03/30/2019 11:29 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline OP
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ruralcarrier  Offline OP
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Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
Well. I'm thinking if it's blocked that it should block the previous posts from that poster too. Only way is to give it a try. Carol said we could always turn it back off.

There you go. Give it a try and report back.


J.D.

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