The Siumut group on the Qeqertalik Municipal Council is demanding that the authorities take action against the unlicensed taxis in Aasiaat and protect the taxi drivers who operate in accordance with the law.
According to the Siumut group, there is a problem in Aasiaat involving people who operate taxis without the necessary permits or without meeting the legal requirements. This is a violation of the law.
The Siumut group has been in close dialogue with the city’s taxi drivers. Several of them say that they drive both day and night but have a hard time earning enough to keep their businesses afloat because unlicensed taxis make it harder to get customers.
The Siumut group points out that these pirate taxis are thus competing directly with drivers who operate legally, without themselves meeting the requirements for permits, taxes, insurance, and operations. Therefore, the problem is not just about the drivers’ finances. It is also about traffic safety, accountability, and the safety and service provided to citizens.
The drivers have contacted the authorities—but no adequate action has been taken
According to the taxi drivers, they have repeatedly brought this issue to the attention of the authorities and, among other things, called for monitoring and enforcement of the applicable laws. However, these requests have not been followed up with sufficient action.
The Siumut group believes this needs to change. Just as those who work legally must comply with the authorities’ requirements, those who break the law must also be subject to oversight.
Siumut: The authorities must take action
The Siumut Group demands:
- That oversight of taxi operations in Aasiaat will be strengthened.
- To ensure that checks are conducted to verify that taxi drivers have the necessary permits.
- That reports of pirate taxis are being investigated.
- That action is taken when violations of the law are documented.
- That taxi drivers who work legally are heard.
- That inquiries to the authorities are answered clearly and specifically.
According to the Siumut group, individual drivers cannot solve the problem on their own. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that the law is enforced and that business operators who work legally are provided with proper and fair conditions. The law must apply to everyone.
The Siumut group in the Qeqertalik Municipality will work to resolve the issue
– We fully understand the problems that taxi drivers in Aasiaat are facing. That is why we have been in close dialogue with them, and we recognize that there is a problem that needs to be resolved,” says Aqqa Samuelsen, a member of the municipal council in Qeqertalik Municipality representing Siumut.
– We respect the work of independent taxi drivers in our municipality and want to create a good and stable framework for their profession, now and in the future. Therefore, we will propose to the municipal council that regulations for taxi services be drafted. The municipality of Qeqertalik should have a unified and clear set of taxi regulations that apply throughout the municipality. These regulations should provide a clear framework and better conditions for the drivers who provide an important service to our residents and local communities every day,” says Aqqa Samuelsen.
