A number of minibus drivers plying various routes in the south of the island, say business was much better for them on the VAT-Free Day than yesterday, Christmas Eve.
According to the drivers, who are now longing for another VAT-Free Day, even vehicular and pedestrian traffic were more heavier on the VAT- Free Day than yesterday.
Motorists experienced intermittent traffic congestion in certain parts of the town, which was not as a result of the number of vehicles on the road. It was as a result of the pedestrian crossings, the traffic lights and police checks, which slowed down traffic a bit.
VAT Free Day, which was held on December 22, was designed to encourage higher foot traffic, stronger sales, and increase commercial activity, supporting wider economic momentum at a time when many businesses see peak season demand.
Some shoppers said on that day, they had to make multiple trips to Massy Stores in Vieux-Fort before they were finally able to get a chance to get in the store due to the number of people who were justling to get in it. The throngs of people standing outside the store waiting for an opportunity to enter it could be seen from a distance.
Even some street vendors experienced brisk business on that day due to the number of people who were in Vieux-Fort to cash in on the VAT- Free Day.
On that day, some motorists had to endure bumper to bumper traffic in certain parts of Vieux-Fort town.
Alexis Louisy, a minibus driver who plies the Vieux Fort-Choiseul route said: “I made much more money on the VAT-Free Day than on Christmas Eve. I wish the prime minister would have a few more VAT-Free Day next year.”
Peter Richard, a minibus driver who plies the Vieux-Fort- Micoud route said: “There were more people in Vieux-Fort on the VAT-Free Day than on Christas Eve, which resulted in us making more money on that day than on Christmas Eve.”
“Business was much better on the VAT- Free Day than on Christmas Eve for many minibus drivers plying various routes in the south,” Cris Taylor, another minibus driver, who plies the Vieux-Fort-Micoud route said.
” I did not even see the vast number of vehicles I usually see on Christmas Eve in Vieux-Fort this year,” he added.
According to another minibus driver, who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity, the VAT Free Day was a good initiative on the part of the prime minister.
“Thank you, my prime minister. I wish we can get some more VAT-Free Day in the near future,” the minibus driver said, adding that business yesterday, was a bit sluggish compared to the VAT-Free Day.