Taxi group head wants safer 2024 for members

After what he called a bloody 2023, the president of one taxi group is hoping that next year will see less crime and violence affecting its members.

Egeton Newman, president of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services, said that 2023 has seen "much more murders than every other year" affecting taxi drivers islandwide.

"I cannot say the figure because we were warned [by the police] that we don't have the figures right, but let me tell you, dozens of taxi men were killed this year. We have been counting for the past six years and this is much, much more than every other year combined," Newman told THE STAR, while noting the death of taxi operator Odean Hinds, who was killed on Christmas Eve. Reports from the Elletson Road police are that about 10:15 p.m., Hinds was driving his motor car when upon reaching a section of Deanery Road, Kingston, explosions were heard. The police were summoned and upon arrival, Hinds was found in the driver's seat of his white Toyota Probox motor car with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the side of his head. He was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Newman said that the safety of his drivers is paramount and that starting 2024, greater emphasis will be placed on ensuring that fewer of their numbers are added to the murder statistics.

"We are going to be going all out to come up with strategies to protect the taxi operators from being killed on the street. The taxi operators are in great danger on our streets; it's not looking good. I have been telling them to understand who you carry and be vigilant when working after certain hours. We are encouraging our members, if you don't know the passengers, don't do a turn off with them, and if you start working at five in the morning, take a break at six in the evening," he stressed.