Acting Taxicab Commission director asks Legislature for $1.5M to rebuild enforcement, tech and offices

Acting Executive Director Melissa Smith told the Senate Committee on Finance on Aug. 18 that the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission (VITCC) is operating with two administrative employees plus the acting director and lacks active enforcement officers — contributing to rising illegal taxi operations and a substantive gap in revenue collection.

Smith said the commission’s approved operational budget for fiscal 2026 is $556,043, funded from the taxi revolving fund ($395,603) and the tourism revolving fund ($160,440). She told senators revenue collections as of June 2025 were $298,442 and said the commission projects $550,000 in total revenue for the year. "As it stands today, the taxicab commission's budget does not meet the operational funding needs of the commission," Smith said. "It is estimated that the commission will need an infusion of funding in the amount of $1,500,000."

Why it matters: The commission regulates taxis, medallions, fares and driver licensing. Its enforcement and licensing work affects public safety, tourism transport…