Tour bus and taxi drivers get $600

| 18/03/2020 | 82 Comments
Cayman News Service
Taxis in Cayman

(CNS): Government has announced it is giving out more free money this month as the economic reality for Caymanians in the tourism sector begins to look increasingly bleak. Tour bus drivers and taxi operators with related watersports ventures who are licensed with government will all get a one-off payment of $600 to help with the difficult times they face, given the tourism shutdown.

Speaking at the daily COVID-19 press briefing Wednesday, Premier Alden McLaughlin said that other groups may be included in future announcements for cash payments, as government continues to grapple with the major challenge of keeping the local economy afloat and Caymanians in business during this unprecedented time. He said that the tourism transport sector is being, and will continue to be, hit very hard during this “protracted period of crisis” and others in related fields could be added on the basis of need.

Commerce Minister Joey Hew said that his ministry was offering resources and support to help small businesses reshape or re-tool during this period. But at this stage, he said, there are no plans for direct cash payments to small business in general. The ministry has opened a virtual business centre that can be accessed by phone or online to help steer small and micro businesses through the challenges ahead.

Hew said one of the main goals is to transition businesses. By way of example, taxi and tour bus drivers as well as courier services are the types of businesses that could temporarily transition to the emerging delivery business that is likely to be in demand over the coming weeks.

CNS asked about a reader’s concern regarding vehicle insurance restrictions on food delivery and problems extending cover so that restaurants can move to a delivery service. Minister Hew said his department would look into how they can help streamline cover as new operators move into this space. Deliveries are expected to become an important part of the economy in the short term.

Hew said government is working with the Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association to help local businesses take advantage of what new opportunities will emerge and change their business models.

See the full press briefing below:


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Category: Business, Transport

Comments (82)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Are unemployed bus and taxi drivers on work permits expected to leave?

  2. Anonymous says:

    I give credit to our government for proposing stipends to tourism based employees but they haven’t considered all industries, only Taxi drivers, tour operators. What about so many other tourism employees? Housekeepers and support staff in all the hotels and condos, they have been earning minimum wage plus a small percentage of grat pools, not near the amount the taxi drivers and tour operators have been earning in the lean times over the last few years. If we are going to help tourism employees it needs to be a fair playing field.

    • Anonymous says:

      Because housekeepers and support staff aren’t nearly as likely to be on the voters register

  3. Anonymous says:

    Problem: Landfill
    Government: LIGHT IT UP
    Problem: Traffic
    Government: RELEASE TEH HELICOPTERZ
    Problem: Pandemic
    Government: PAY DI BUS DRIVERZ

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    • Anonymous says:

      Problem: gay Caymanian equality

      Gowernment: Gaypril! Lewiticus! Oh we were told to actually give them rights? Soon come lol I na risking my church wotes

  4. Pearl says:

    Will government be providing government pensioners extra funds too?
    There are persons living off no more than $700 a month pension.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    What about those in the waterspouts industry who have no income at all now? Many of these are Caymanians. Any plans to help them?

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Can we just give caymanians money every month tax the trillions every day.

    Alden give it to the old people and taxi and bus drivers.

    Some of the worst drivers for eco growth.

    Lol the logic is unbelievable.

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    • Anonymous says:

      release our pension alden this isnt gonna be sny better 14 april. they r predicting 18 months r u that stupid to think americans are ginna cruise? and as far as patriation why cant it be used ? its our money given for that. its criminal what u r doing

      • Anonymous says:

        Pensions should absolutely NOT be released. The market has crashed. That money needs to be kept there for the eventual rise and people’s retirement.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Simple solution:
    Everyone wp or not, (not businesses) who can present a letter from there boss that they are fired due to the virus with a copy of passports, should receive 1000 a month.
    Put the information in a database for future check of abuse.

    Businesses in Cayman have been ripping off people here for decades, they have the reserves.

    But as usual money receives money and poverty receives poverty.

    Typical cayman christianity.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Whatever….but it’s good to see a picture of the old airport.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I think this is the most realistic solution. If you aren’t working, you get a stipend for paying your bills+food. Otherwise people will start robbing and murdering in the streets. I’m surprised the government hasn’t said anything yet about a stimulus plan.

  8. Moi says:

    You really have to be joking me! Most don’t even deserve a diver’s licence, let alone a payout to promote their god-awful driving techniques! Outrageous!

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Remember the local guys that tried to get Flex up and running but were shot down. The cartel is strong.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Taxi and bus mafia have some serious sway

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Alden up to know you have been doing the right thing,
    This has bought you right back down to your port lies.

    What does the cartel have on you?

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  12. Gray Matter says:

    What is the virtual business Centre phone number ??????? Why say it and don’t put it in

    CNS: Sorry, I cannot find it online via either the ministry or DCI websites. If anyone knows, perhaps they can send it to us, or we’ll see if we can get it from the ministry.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Giving money to the wrong people taxi drivers have ripped off tourists and residents alike for a longtime they should have enough money stashed away to see them through these tough times and the rest it would be more in line to look after the people in the food and beverage and hotel industry, cleaners childminders etc that have been working for minimum wage living paycheck to paycheck with little to no savings and now finding themselves unemployed.

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    • Anonymous says:

      They justify the high fares due to having to buy and maintain a taxi. BS! Most of us have to buy and maintain a vehicle to get to work regardless!

  14. Anonymous says:

    I will not criticize the Government for all they are doing to assist those they perceive as impacted and most vulnerable by this pandemic…

    CNS: The rest of this comment is posted here.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    🖕the transport mafia. This does nothing to help the economy.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Every day Taxi Operators spend more money at the Gas stations by fueling two to three times a day which is more than a regular vehicle owner. We spend upto CI3000.00 annually on Insurance, and CI$300.00 for Taxi License renewal all with Government then every month Airport Taxi Drivers pay and additional CI$60.00 per month to operate their. All of these monies not only Contribute by keeping the Greatest Employer of Caymanians “The Government Civil Servants” Salaries.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Two or three time’s a day
        What are you putting in $5.00 a time.
        More likely stopping off to buy a Pattie and a Pepsi.
        Oh and one of those air fresheners that smells like your grandmother.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The air will be much cleaner with you off the roads. Well, besides the dump fires. One in the same really.

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      • Anonymous says:

        So you’re doing 1000 miles a day? HAHAHA. Firstly that’s a lie, secondly if you were, given you charge about $20 for 5 miles you must be making $1m a year. Run along, no one to rip off now!

  16. Anonymous says:

    Votes

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  17. Kurt Christian says:

    Excellent job Premier !

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  18. Anonymous says:

    I am flabbergasted by this decision.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You must not have been here very long. This is typical, although usually happening closer to the general election.

  19. No Plans at all says:

    So what I came out of from this news conference is that the government really doesn’t have a plan for the hospitality businesses.

    All I got from it was we are on our own and to deal with the utility company’s, landlords by themselves and to bad if they don’t want to help.

    I can tell you that these businesses don’t have insurance as there is an excision in their policies for viruses.

    I’ve read that banks are stopping mortgage payments for a period, well yes Butterfield has immediately stopped all payments for three months. CNB has offered this as well BUT you must contact them and it is on case by case basis (of course they did this, the Trini owners don’t want to loose money, it now shows you their true colours, they don’t have the interest in the Cayman Islands customers)

    CUC has offered a credit, a very small one, I know that restaurants electric bills can be up to $8,000 pm or more. So there’s no real help for them to survive.

    Certain commercial landlords are refusing to help and give a break. I give cudos out to the Dart organisation as they are helping all their tenants, staff absolutely amazing. In fact once this all dies down, I will be contacting them to see if there is space for our business which has been in its current location for over 30yrs. I’d happily pay the extra rent as you know in a crisis Dart cares.

    Sewage fees again commercial properties pay a fees, there has been no word as to any discount.

    I would like to see government doing

    1) insist CUC reduce all fees or come up with a payment plan to be paid off over the next 12 months

    2) residential and commercial landlords not allowed to remove and tenants who can’t afford to pay (the UK government has said that no landlord can remove any tenant for three months) and assist these landlords with payments

    3) speak to insurance companys to allow with immediate effect car policies for restaurants staff be allowed to do business from their staffs personal car insurance.

    4) A holiday on all pensions – I can’t beleive the Premier basically said there was no plan at this time.

    Just a few ideas.

    I can’t beleive Joeys statement about salons and barbers, you just have to adjust and we encourage them to go out and sell the products they have in their stores, does he not realise these products are there really as an upsell.
    I’d like to know, if salons and barbers will be allow to go to private homes to provide their services?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Better to ask forgiveness than permission.

    • Anonymous says:

      regarding CUC, if they pass the Oil Surcharge to customers that will be great help, especially oil is under 25$ per barrel. This was brought in when Oil reached over $100 per barrel..

      don’t have to do something extraordinary, just do the rightful..

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      • Anonymous says:

        Amazing that the Oil Surcharge is still in place with the price of oil being its lowest in decades. How does CUC justify this charge?

    • Anonymous says:

      Joey means well, but he isn’t very bright. I am no fan of this government and even signed the petition against the port, but it’s hard to criticise the government’s plan, or lack thereof, when this is an unprecedented situation. Most governments around the world don’t have a plan for this. I think they’re doing the right things – mostly. I could easily argue that Cayman’s plan so far has been a heck of a lot more cogent and consistent that our neighbour’s up north!

    • Anonymous says:

      nit everyone has dart money

  20. Anonymous says:

    How is giving them the equivalent of one fare from the airport to seven mile beach going to get them through the month?

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  21. Anonymous says:

    why would you shell out cash to bus and taxi drivers..what about everyone else? why has the government not come out with a stimulus package like other countries?

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  22. Done reach says:

    Most of the persons getting help is paper Cayman people, what happening with the born Cayman people, I cant go to there countries and drive taxi or bus , if I try that o boy what would happen to me.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    I just want to say thank god Alden McLaughlin is in charge. Otherwise we’d be F’ckd

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  24. Waiting for help says:

    What about the other cayman people who is working in the different tourist business, please mr Premier don’t be buyus at this time , give one give all or don’t give none at all .

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  25. Anonymous says:

    If the thieving taxi cartel had a reasonable fare they wouldn’t need to rely on ripping off tourists.
    This is just a vote buying exercise by Alden who in every press conference has been shown up to be incompetent and a racist, the sooner he is out and I pray a new younger generation take control the better.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    rewarding the sector that tourists most complain about….. classic wonderland stuff.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Just look at Trip Adviser. By far the most complaints about the Caymanian tourism industry here is about rip off taxi drivers.

      Cmon lets end this nonsense once and for all and have UBER and LYFT. Every tourist that comes here from the U.S. and Canada has this app on their phones.

  27. X says:

    Delivery drivers are paid $6 per hour plus tips, and are usally young adults

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  28. Anonymous says:

    I hope they make sure the drivers get it and not the taxi company operators. Maybe they can spend it going to driving school!

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  29. Anonymous says:

    All of these drivers can still work delivering groceries and other supplies to the hundreds of households in voluntary isolation.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    Is this selective Caymanian vote buy in lieu of election appliances, or in addition to?

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  31. Anonymous says:

    Second most significant voting block, check.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Should there not be some subsidy from the government whose nationality dominates that sector?

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    • Anonymous says:

      This is trying to keep food on peoples tables you idjit. Its also trying to stop people being so desperate that they will not rob your house

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      • Anonymous says:

        yep the old veiled threat of robbery….classic caymankind

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      • Anonymous says:

        Be a lot more cost effective to pay the airfare home for all those WP holders that have lost their jobs altogether and have zero means of paying their bills but cant leave. But I guess they dont vote so….

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  32. Anonymous says:

    and why not release pension ? and put a free,e on payments

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  33. John Smith says:

    So you have assisted a sector that can possibly transition to a different customer base, but have ignored other sectors that can not… Hmnnn…

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    • Anonymous says:

      The Government have let the taxi mafia rip us off for years, no surprise that they get the first handouts too 😡

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