A significant regulatory confrontation has erupted in Saint Lucia as Uber persists in operating despite an official government suspension order, prompting severe countermeasures from the National Taxi Union (NTU). The NTU has declared it will deregister members discovered driving for the platform, escalating tensions over regulatory non-compliance.
Government authorities have confirmed that Uber lacks mandatory operational approvals and formally instructed the company to halt services. With the ride-hailing application remaining active, the union asserts this defiance compromises legal standards and jeopardizes the economic stability of licensed taxi drivers who adhere to national regulations.
NTU Public Relations Officer David Christopher emphasized the broader implications, stating, “This transcends mere market competition—it fundamentally concerns regulatory compliance, equitable treatment, and respect for our nation’s legal framework. Neither domestic nor international corporations should exercise immunity from local laws.”
In its official declaration, the NTU characterized Uber’s activities as both unlawful and socially irresponsible. The union issued explicit warnings that drivers utilizing private-registered (“P plate”) vehicles for Uber services face legal prosecution, while commercial (“TX plate”) permit holders risk permanent revocation of their operating licenses.
The union highlighted the rigorous standards imposed on local operators, encompassing comprehensive insurance protocols, mandatory vehicle inspections, licensing fees, and driver background verifications. Permitting an unregulated foreign entity to circumvent these requirements, the NTU argues, establishes an unjust competitive environment.
This situation poses a direct challenge to national regulatory sovereignty, public safety assurance, and the livelihoods of hundreds of compliant transportation professionals, the union cautioned. The NTU is urgently appealing to government agencies, law enforcement, and transportation regulators to enforce the suspension order and terminate all Uber operations until full legal compliance is achieved.
The organization warned that delayed intervention could establish a perilous precedent undermining regulatory integrity and destabilizing the local transport ecosystem. Despite its firm stance, the NTU expressed willingness to engage in discussions regarding industry modernization, provided such advancements occur within legal parameters and through constructive dialogue with local stakeholders.