Fighting with Taxi mafia

Kozy · #1 01-15-2009, 06:20 AM

I own a small hotel in Cabrera on the north coast. I have problems with the local taxi sindicato regarding my rights to transport my hotel clients to and from the airports. Its getting ugly and I really need some good legal advice. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Kozy

Dre Broeders · #2 01-15-2009, 06:39 AM

Park your car safe and buy a pistol.

MrMike · #3 01-15-2009, 07:29 AM

Not even the government can deal with these guys, and there are a LOT of them. You are probably better off going with the flow.

catcherintherye · #4 01-15-2009, 07:46 AM

I am probably going to sound naive, but would it be possible to compromise with these guys and come to some sort of agreement, perhaps contracting them to provide that service for you at a discounted rate?

I've never had to deal with those guys collectively, so I really don't know if negotiation is something that would work or not. I'm just throwing it out there as a suggestion, and as a possible way to avoid trouble.

Fabio J. Guzman · #5 01-15-2009, 01:01 PM

This is something that would be very hard to do alone despite the fact that legally, you should be able to pick up your guests yourselves.

Conchman · #6 01-15-2009, 02:59 PM

We are in a similar situation and have received help from the Ministry of Tourism and Politur. Check your PM's for contacts.

While it has not come to this here, they have put union leaders in jail when they tried to block the roads near Higuey or Bavaro.

gmiller261 · #7 01-15-2009, 04:15 PM

What other forms of extortion are deemed acceptable in the DR?

Put a for rent sign on it and say your guests are renting it.

CFA123 · #8 01-15-2009, 04:25 PM

They had the power to stop Caribe Tours from putting a bus stop in Cabarete a year or so ago. As all are saying, not worth fighting it - you don't want one of these guys to decide to make an example of you for others.

I know someone here in Cabarete that's found an extremely reliable taxi driver with a good vehicle. A phone call & he or one of his friends is always on time to pick up clients. Perhaps with time you can be as lucky finding someone.

Lambada · #9 01-16-2009, 12:37 AM

They used to take baseball bats to windshields in Puerto Plata for those who didn't 'go with the flow'. Years ago they tried to get Grahame & I thrown out of a hotel where we were working just for telling tourists about the local buses & guaguas. These guys protect what they see as their turf and they aren't too careful how they do it, either, so Kozy, be careful.

scrubmuncher · #10 01-16-2009, 02:42 AM

Never known anything other than getting in the same frame of mind to work with these guys. If you allow them to intimidate you then they have you, if you have no Dominican backup then try and make friends with someone with a bit of weight, if you makea connection it can be sorted out without any trouble.
Buy a gun anyway!!