We, the undersigned residents, business owners, and visitors of the U.S. Virgin Islands, urge our leaders to legalize and fairly regulate rideshare services as a distinct transportation option in the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Rideshare is a modern, app-based solution that provides safe, reliable, and affordable transportation—filling critical gaps that taxis alone cannot meet.

Despite the widespread success of rideshare services in the U.S. mainland and territories like Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands has yet to embrace this innovation. We call on our leaders to allow rideshare to operate legally and to regulate it separately from the Taxi Commission.

Why the Virgin Islands Needs Rideshare

A reliable, flexible, and technology-driven transportation option (app-based) is essential for both residents and visitors. Without rideshare, our community faces severely limited transportation options—at times, none at all. Residents and visitors experience long wait times, sometimes unreliable service at limited hours throughout the day, and unnecessary barriers to employment, education, and economic opportunities. A modern transportation solution is essential for our island's growth and accessibility.
Rideshare services can immediately improve:

• Late-Night & Emergency Transport – Residents needing a 3 AM pickup from the emergency room often struggle to find transportation.
• Safe Rides for Students & Workers – Many students and employees, especially those without cars, need affordable rides to the university, internships, jobs, and training programs.
• Evening Pickups from Restaurants & Bars – Customers frequently cannot find transportation when taxis require multiple passengers to justify a trip and may not pick up individuals at night. Numerous restaurants can not get current transportation options to come for one passenger.
• Preventing DUIs – A reliable rideshare system can help reduce drunk driving incidents.
• Work Transportation – Many workers rely on personal vehicles, but when their cars are unavailable or being repaired, they are left without options.
• Supporting the Local Economy – Rideshare empowers drivers to earn income while providing a much-needed service to the community.
• Tourism & Cruise Ship Days – Without enough transportation available, many visitors and residents find themselves stranded, damaging the island's reputation as a tourist destination. Passengers arriving on smaller airlines like Cape Air, sometimes have no transportation available, transportation is currently mostly available for the larger commercial flights.

A Call for Fair, Modern, and Independent Regulation
Rideshare services are not taxis, and they should not fall under regulations designed for a different industry. Many jurisdictions, including Puerto Rico, have successfully created separate policies that allow both rideshare and taxis to coexist.

We ask the Virgin Islands Government to:

1. Legalize rideshare services in the territory, to provide residents and visitors with more transportation options.
2. Recognize rideshare as a distinct service and regulate it separately from the Taxi Commission.
3. Create a fair and modern regulatory framework that allows rideshare to operate efficiently, ensuring safety and consumer protection.
4. Engage with local rideshare operators, businesses, and the public to develop policies that benefit the entire community.

Rideshare vs. Taxi Regulation Differences
Licensing & Permits:

• Taxis often require expensive medallions or special licenses, limiting the number of vehicles in operation.
• Rideshare drivers typically need a general permit, a background check, and insurance but do not require medallions

Fares & Pricing:

• Taxis have regulated, fixed pricing with meters set by local authorities.
• Rideshare services use dynamic pricing (surge pricing) based on demand.

Pickup Locations:

• Taxis rely on street pickups and designated taxi stands.
• Rideshare vehicles are pre-booked through an app and provide door to door service, rideshare does not solicit passengers.

Payment Method:

• Taxis often accept cash and sometimes card payments.
• Rideshare services are entirely cashless, ensuring secure and seamless transactions through the app which is much safer for drivers.

How Rideshare is Regulated Elsewhere
U.S. Mainland:

• Rideshare services are regulated by state or city governments, often through a Transportation Network Company (TNC) license, separate from taxis.
• No medallions are required.
• Some states require background checks, insurance, and local fees, but rideshare companies still operate independently.

Caribbean & International Examples:

• Jamaica recently introduced rideshare regulations without tying them to taxis.
• Puerto Rico allows Uber and Lyft under a separate regulatory framework from taxis.
• Barbados & Bahamas do not have medallion requirements for rideshare.

Arguments for Keeping Rideshare Separate from Taxis

• Encourages More Drivers & Availability – Medallion systems limit drivers, while rideshare thrives on flexibility.
• Better Service & Lower Costs for Riders – No meter rates, just upfront app pricing.
• Economic Empowerment – More locals can earn income without expensive medallions.
• Taxis & Rideshare Can Coexist – Many cities allow both without forcing them under the same rules.

The Reality: Different Clientele, Different Needs
It is important to recognize that rideshare and taxi services serve different types of clientele. Traditional taxis prioritize larger groups, often seeking to fill vans with multiple passengers before taking trips. Rideshare, on the other hand, caters to single riders and smaller groups who need on-demand transportation.
Rideshares are filling a gap. This is not about competing with taxis but about expanding transportation options to better serve residents, workers, and visitors that are currently being stranded. The success of rideshare in other locations proves that both industries can coexist when given fair and separate regulations.

Join Us in Supporting Transportation Freedom

By signing this petition, you support the legalization and fair regulation of rideshare in the Virgin Islands. Our community deserves modern, affordable, and safe transportation options that align with global and U.S. standards.

Sign below to support bringing rideshare services to the U.S. Virgin Islands!!

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