Watch Out for Gypsy Taxis

[Rod Scott]

[written by Andi Scott who was really frosted ] We had arranged and prepaid for our airport transfers to Arno's Vale through our travel agent . Immediately after passing through customs we headed for the exit and spotted a lecturn/stand with some official looking TAXI signage. The young woman attendant, complete with reflective vest, looked over our voucher ( from TheTobago Taxi Owner's & Driver's Association )and referred us to an older gentleman, similarly dressed, who said he was unacquainted with the Taxi Association. He asked if we would pay the driver if the hotel would not honor the document. We had no doubt that Arno's Vale would acknowledge our receipt. We followed the man to the side exit where we were handed over to a friendly man with a shiny black sedan. As he piled our bags into his trunk he repeated the query about our willingness to pay should the hotel refuse. It must have been fatique or instant island mellowness that blunted our radar!!
When we got to Arno's Vale we learned that this "Joe" was not a legitimate taxi assn. member and we were required to pay up. "Sixty dollars,please." "US dollars?" I asked. "Yes,US." "Good God! That's more expensive than Paris!!" So $60 greenbacks are handed over and he heads back to make his getaway. Ken, Arno's Vale's manager follows him down the walk and returns $20 to us. He apologized to the bad treatment but we admit we were tricked.
The postscript is that the real driver who was waiting further outside the airport exit for us that night came to the hotel the next morning and spent hours looking for us. He finally found us on the beach and was mortified that we had been conned. So we will definitely call Reggie Cadiz (868)685-7701 on our next trip to Tobago.

[Kevin Hampson]

Hi Scott,
that's a real roasting, It cost us less than that to get up to Speyside from the airport and that a lot further than Arno's vale.

I'll make sure I pick up the right taxi the next time I go.

Many thanks for the post.
Kevin

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Rod/Andi

I'm so sorry that you were conned there. Sadly this is a problem/situation that could happen at any airport anywhere in the world if travel agents/tour operators do not give you clear and very precise instructions about how/who you are to be met by.

As a matter of interest, official Tobago taxis work to an offical tariff rate. The official rate from the airport to the Arnos Vale (see Tobago/Getting About/Taxis) is TT$80 (US$14). Sorry to rub salt in the wound.