A new app is being developed for National Taxi Union (NTU) members and the public as local groups respond to Uber’s growing presence in Saint Lucia.
Uber began operating in Saint Lucia in January, creating new competition for local taxi drivers. In response, the NTU is looking at digital solutions to keep its market share and update its services, aiming to keep revenue with its members instead of Uber.
Christian Antoine, a software engineer at Converge Solutions, told St Lucia Times, “The entire project scope is a three-part app.” He said the platform is being designed for riders, drivers, and the National Taxi Union as the administrative group.
The app will allow registered drivers, especially those with the NTU or its sub-groups, to manage their work online. Antoine said, “As a member of the National Taxi Association or the individual sub associations, you will be able to register on the app, assign your association.”
He added that drivers who manage fleets will have extra features. “If you have a fleet driver, you can also assign jobs to your fleet and vehicles to your fleet.”
Drivers will be able to see their work data on the app. Antoine said, “You can also view your trip history or your financial history on the app,” which will help with transparency and record-keeping.
For passengers, the new system will offer features similar to those in international ride-hailing apps. Riders will be able to book rides directly through the app and pay digitally with options like credit cards and PayPal, making transactions more convenient and cashless.
However, during discussions, some association members raised concerns about how the app would work and be put in place. They asked how the system would be managed and how drivers would get paid when bookings are made through the platform.
Officials leading the project explained that the session was not a launch but an introduction. They said the meeting was meant to help members better understand the app and the plans being considered, especially since Uber has entered the local market.
