V.I. Taxi Association, Inc.



Telephone 340-774-4550



Fax: 340-774-0553



P.O. Box 1377 - St. Thomas - U.S. Virgin Islands 00804

taxis@earthlink.net



www.vitaxiassociation.com



October 27, 2025



The Honorable Senator



Avery L. Lewis,



Chairman of the Committee on



Government Operations,



Veterans Affairs & Consumer Protection



St. Thomas, Earl B. Ottley Legislative Hall



Re: BILL NO.36-0148: An act amending title 3 Virgin

Islands Code, chapter 16, section 274 by mandating

that the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission

implement an electronic payment system Proposed by

Senator Kurt A.Vialet



Good day, Honorable Senator, Avery L. Lewis

Chairman, and Honorable members of the committee.



Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.



My name is Emerson Knight Sr., Vice President of VI

Taxi Association, Inc. I’m here to represent VI

Taxi Association On behalf of President, Lawrence

Ramdhansingh, who could not make it today due to

medical reasons.



I am here today to speak in support of adoption

and use of electronic payment systems by licensed

taxi drivers in the U.S Virgin Island.



Our islands” economy is heavily reliant on tourism,

and many visitors, as well as some residents, do

not carry cash. By enabling drivers to accept

credit cards, debit cards and mobile payments, we

V.[. Taxi Association, Inc.



Telephone 340-774-4550



Fax: 340-774-0553



P.O, Box 1377 - St. Thomas - U.S. Virgin Islands 00804

taxis@earthlink. net



www.vitaxiassociation.com



can prevent lost fares, increase driver income, and

provide convenient, modern service to all

passengers.



Electronic payments also improve safety. Reducing

the amount of cash in vehicles protects drivers

from theft and robbery, providing a more secure

working environment. Additionally, digital

transactions promote transparency and

professionalism. Allowing passengers to receive

receipts and trust that fares are fair and

accurate.



Beyond individual benefits, adopting electronic

payment systems will help modernize the USVI taxi

industry, keeping it competitive with other tourism

destinations and aligned with visitors’

expectations. It is an important step toward

supporting both drivers and the broader tourism

economy.



Inconclusion, electronic payment systems are not

just a technology upgrade they are an investment in

safety, professionalism, efficiency, and economic

growth. I respectfully urge support for policies

that encourage the use of these systems throughout

the USVI.



Sincerely,

[Boban dha duce

Lawrence Ram ingh,



President

LIST OF ADVANTAGES FOR USVI TAXI DRIVERS USING

ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEMS:



1. INCREASED EARNINGS



e ACCEPTING CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND MOBILE PAYMENTS

PREVENTS LOST FARES FROM PASSENGERS WITHOUT CASH



e DIGITAL PAYMENTS OFTEN INCLUDE TIP OPTIONS, INCREASING

OVERALL INCOME.



2. GREATER SAFETY



e LESS CASH CARRIED IN VEHICLES REDUCES THE RISK OF THEFT OR

ROBBERY.



e DRIVERS FEEL SAFER WORKING LATE OR IN BUSY TOURIST AREAS.



3. FASTER TRANSACTIONS



e NO.NEED TO COUNT CHANGE OR HANDLE CASH ERRORS.

e QUICKER PICKUPS AND DROP-OFFS IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND

PASSENGER SATISFACTION.



4. PROFESSIONALISM &TRUST



e PASSENGERS SEE A MODERN, ORGANIZED SYSTEM

e DIGITAL RECEIPTS AND TRANSPARENT FARES ENHANCE TRUST

AND CREDIBILITY.



5.. CONVENIENCE FOR PASSENGERS



e TRAVELERS AND LOCALS OFTEN PREFER CASHLESS PAYMENT.

e PROVIDES A SMOOTHER, MORE FLEXIBLE SERVICE EXPERIENCE.



6. ALIGNMENT WITH TOURISM STANDARDS



e MATCHES EXPECTATIONS OF CRUISE PASSENGERS, HOTEL

GUESTS, AND BUSINESS TRAVELERS.



e HELPS KEEP THE USVI TAXI INDUSTRY COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER

TOURIST DESTINATIONS.



7. RECORD -KEEPING



e ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS AUTOMATICALLY GENERATE

~ TRANSACTION RECORDS, USEFUL FOR:



e PERSONAL ACCOUNTING



e BUSINESS REPORTING



e TAX PURPOSES



8. ENCOURAGE GROWTH



e SUPPORT FUTURE INNOVATIONS SUCH AS TAXI APPS, DIGITAL

DISPATCHING, AND ROUTE TRACKING.