ST. CROIX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S WRITTEN TESTIMONY ON BILL 36-0148 — Bill No. 36-0148
P.O. Box 4355, Kingshill VI, 00851 chair@stxchamber.org Tel: 340-718-1435 stxchamber.org October 22, 2025 VIA EMAIL The Honorable Avery L. Lewis Chairman, Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection alewis@legvi.org ST. CROIX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S WRITTEN TESTIMONY ON BILL 36-0148 Dear Chairman Lewis: The St. Croix Chamber of Commerce strongly supports Bill No. 36-0148, which requires that the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission implement an electronic payment system. Bill No. 36-0148 is commonsense legislation that makes the USVI’s tourism product more competitive. Far too many tourists complain about the lack of electronic payment options in our territory generally. But the lack of electronic payment options in taxis presents unique safety and logistical concerns that should be remedied via legislation. Offering more forms of payment would increase business for taxi drivers as well as for local businesses which depend on passenger traffic. Popular mainland-based rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft do not currently operate in our territory. …
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P.O. Box 4355, Kingshill VI, 00851 chair@stxchamber.org Tel: 340-718-1435 stxchamber.org October 22, 2025 VIA EMAIL The Honorable Avery L. Lewis Chairman, Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection alewis@legvi.org ST. CROIX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S WRITTEN TESTIMONY ON BILL 36-0148 Dear Chairman Lewis: The St. Croix Chamber of Commerce strongly supports Bill No. 36-0148, which requires that the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission implement an electronic payment system. Bill No. 36-0148 is commonsense legislation that makes the USVI’s tourism product more competitive. Far too many tourists complain about the lack of electronic payment options in our territory generally. But the lack of electronic payment options in taxis presents unique safety and logistical concerns that should be remedied via legislation. Offering more forms of payment would increase business for taxi drivers as well as for local businesses which depend on passenger traffic. Popular mainland-based rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft do not currently operate in our territory. Failure to accommodate passengers who are not used to carrying cash on their person risks alienating entire generations of prospective tourists. We can and must be more inclusive. The St. Croix business community applauds Senator Kurt Vialet for the economic leadership and compassion shown by his decision to sponsor Bill No. 36-148. It will benefit the business community greatly and should be enacted right away. Very truly yours, /s/ Akeel St. Jean Akeel St. Jean, Esq. Chairman