May 6, 2011Dear Sir,Over the years we have all created “bad habits” for ourselves. Well, those of us in the general public, Government along with those within the taxi industry can share the blame for what is going on:lGovernment for overstepping their bounds, and interfering in the taxi industry. Their part is to make sure that those within the industry are operating in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Taxi Regulations.lWhile in the taxi industry proper, what needs to be addressed is an internal matter that needs to be sorted out among themselves in the respective taxi dispatch company, ie; bad business practices.Then there is the problem of conflict of interest, ie; the giving of preferential treatment shown by upper management and dispatchers alike; showing favouritism to certain individuals because of class distinctions or familiarity; son or daughter, husband or wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, cousin, aunt or uncle etc.Then comes the personality clashes between the customer and the dispatcher over the phone because (a) The dispatcher recognises the caller’s voice and takes it upon themselves not to send them a taxi or (b) they get in a verbal confrontation or (c) they are simply having a bad hair day.The customer will lie about their destination or call more than one taxi service, consequently, when the driver arrives at their house, they are either getting in a friend’s car or they have flagged down another taxi or they are driving off in a taxi from another service and/or they are simply gone.lFinally, the drivers themselves: refuse to answer calls in certain areas — will not pick up persons of colour — over charge a customer — take an unsuspecting person the long way to their destination — only work out of hotel yards, the airport and/or the cruise ships — will only do tours, will not stop for anyone along the street — will not work at night — and will not answer their dispatch radio.Because computers are better business and marketing tools they eliminate all this confusion.LLOYD HILTON SMITHSt David’s