TCI News

TCI Government trying to ensure Safe Rides with NEW Rating System

Published

1 year ago

April 16, 2024

Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer

Visitors in the Turks and Caicos will now have direct access to a list of credible taxi drivers with the rollout of a multi-pronged “Rate Your Ride” system. The initiative comes on the heels of an attack on a tourist weeks prior.

The government is providing both information and allowing for feedback from tourists under the new system.

The information rollout via social media instructs tourists on the necessary identification to look for including license plates, TIDES ambassador cards and approved drivers licenses before accepting a ride. It is being shared widely on the government’s social media channels.

Also detailed, is how to use the mandatory tides cards which much be carried by all registered drivers. Each card will have a QR code which will take visitors to a list of approved drivers registered with the ministry of tourism’s regulations department.

The feedback section of the system uses a QR code which leads to a simplified portal allowing guests to use an online forum where they can rate the cleanliness, comfort, safety and professionalism of their drivers.

The ministry has not indicated how these ratings will be collated and whether consecutive negative or positive responses will have an effect on drivers’ public transportation licenses.

The rollout comes days after a New Jersey woman went public about being beaten two weeks ago in an attack by a man claiming to be a taxi driver.

Suyapa Ramos went to ABC news with her story after she was brutally assaulted. The woman said the attacker growled as he beat her, but was adamant that there were no sexual advances.

”I fought for my life, it was so scary to feel yourself so close to death,” the mother said after leaving the Turks and Caicos.

Police arrested her alleged attacker Davidson Martin, who Ramos says pretended to be a taxi driver. Residents say he is an illegal jitney, part of a group of mainly men who operate unlicensed cars as public transport vehicles while not having the legal right to do so.

Some may just be trying to make a quick buck but others have more nefarious plans evidenced by repeated warnings from the police to residents. Early this year, at least two women reported being assaulted by a male driver operating a jitney; one had to jump from the moving car.

It’s clear with the new rollout, the government is hoping to avoid the confusion which can be dangerous.

The QR codes are available on the government’s social media at My Experience TCI on Facebook.

Related Topics:#magneticmedia #NewRatingSystem #RateYourRide #tci

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News

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

PUBLIC NOTICE

FROM THE Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORT – FOR CORAL GARDENS DUNE REPLENISHMENT – PR16651, 60812/57, PENNs ROAD,GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report – for Coral Gardens Dune Replenishment – PR 16651, 60812/57, Penns Road, Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands has been finalized and is available online for public review at:

https://www.gov.tc/planning/pr-16651

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report was submitted in accordance with Section 44 (1) b of the Physical Planning Ordinance. Comments on the EIA report can be sent to the Department of Planning via email to planningconsultation@gov.tc or Environmental Compliance Manager, Garry Mclean- gmclean@gov.tc or in writing to the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, or at South Base, Grand Turk on or before Monday, June 09^th,2025.

A Public Consultation on the EIA will be held on Thursday, May 29^th ,2025 at 5:00p.m. – 6:30p.m. at the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. All interested persons are invited to attend to air their views, have their concerns addressed, and have their questions answered. This is your opportunity to add your voice to the discussion.

News

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

PUBLIC NOTICE

FROM THE Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORT – FOR THE ROMANZA ON GRACE BAY TOWNHOUSES AND CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT – PR16739, 60900/258, GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report – for the Romanza on Grace Bay Townhouses and Condominium Development Project – PR16739, 60900/258, Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands has been finalized and is available online for public review at:

https://www.gov.tc/planning/images/docs/PR16739.pdf

A Public Consultation on the EIA will be held on Thursday, May 15^th ,2025 at 5:00p.m. – 6:30p.m. at the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. All interested persons are invited to attend to air their views, have their concerns addressed, and have their questions answered. This is your opportunity to add your voice to the discussion.

Photo caption: Beaches Turks & Caicos

News

Elite Fast Rope Training for Members of the Royal TCI Police Force

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, May 15, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) is proud to announce that officers from the Tactical Unit, Response and Operations, and Serious Crime have recently completed an intensive, week-long Fast Rope Training Course aimed at enhancing their capabilities in rapid deployment and high-angle operations.

This rigorous, high-level training was conducted in Exuma, Bahamas, and facilitated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (Tactical Helicopter Section).

Participants received hands-on instruction and real-world practice in executing rapid helicopter insertions—an essential skill for missions in environments where aircraft cannot safely land.

Fast rope training is a specialized military and tactical technique that allows personnel to quickly descend from a hovering helicopter using a thick rope—without the use of a harness. Commonly used by elite tactical units worldwide, this method is crucial in high-stakes, time-sensitive operations such as counter-narcotics, search and rescue, and critical incident responses.

The RT&CIPF congratulates the following officers on their successful completion of the course:

Acting Inspector Latoya Rigby
Constables Christopher O’Neil, Anton Ferguson, Kimberlee Markland, Tenesha Stewart, Demareo Outten, Alex Joseph, Rojay Graham, and Shan Livermore
We extend our sincere thanks to the U.S. DEA for their ongoing partnership and expert guidance, which greatly enhances our operational capabilities.