THE Guyana Taxi Service Association (GTSA) and the Government of Guyana yesterday signed a code of conduct, aimed at improving the quality of services provided by operators.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, which took place at the Ministry, in South Road, Georgetown, Acting Minister of Tourism, Mr. Irfaan Ali observed that many countries which would have moved forward with a vibrant tourism sector ensured that the institutional mechanism surrounding the functioning of the sector in all aspects is well regulated and supervised.
“It is in this context and in the context of safety and security that the Taxi Association and the government decided to come together to set out a code of conduct, as it relates to the way in which taxi services and drivers operate,” he explained.
Ali said this code goes beyond ensuring courtesies and mannerism to customers, as it also includes addressing the way taxi drivers are required to dress, once they are associated with a centralised service name to which an approved colour will be designated.
“We are looking to have all authorised services with a colour code so that we can put a tacking mechanism in place for the various services, long pants, sleeveless shirts, no vest and rubber slippers will not be tolerated according to the code of conduct ” he warned.
Ali said that, following the inking of the documentation, there will be a three months period of public sensitisation to have persons au fait with what the system entails.

Complaint mechanism
He explained, further, that, with this new arrangement, the ministry is also looking at bringing into play a complaint mechanism, including the implementation of a 24-hour tourism hotline to take complaints, as well as to provide information on hotels, dinner and entertainment to locals and tourists.
According to him, the rules will also make sure that drivers and dispatchers are adequately trained to carry out their relevant duties and he assured that training and employee education will be made priority.
Ali said, in the initial stage of implementing the process, the ministry will be providing training to the taxi service providers, managers and drivers.
“We are hoping that, through the training, we can have the training of trainers who will ensure that all new drivers entering the services go through an orientation and are trained in accordance with the code of conduct,” he said.
With these new behaviour principles in place, services would not be accepting a driver unless the person has been cleared by the place where he or she was previously employed and has a police clearance, as well as references, which would also be required to further assure safety and security.
Ali said the police will also be on board with this initiative so that, when a driver is charged, it can be recorded and that history can be transferred as they move forward.