Jack promises draft proposal to deal with "PH" operators

There were approximately 60,000 “PH” drivers operating in Trinidad and Tobago, which leaves the government with few options but to find a way to regularise what has become an essential part of the country's private transportation infrastructure.

That's the view of Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner who met Sunday with representatives of the "PH" operators and other stakeholders.

Warner has promised to deal with the issue despite critics who say it encourages lawlessness since "PH" drivers are breaking the country's law by carrying paid passengers in competition with legal taxis.

However Warner has noted that many critics do not appreciate the nature of the service that "PH" drivers offer to citizens in rural parts of the country where regular taxis and "maxis" refuse to work.

Warner invited all stakeholders to meet with him Sunday morning at his ministry and he listened to everyone's views.

Maxi Taxi operators suggested that government should implement the laws and prosecute anyone who illegally operates a vehicle for hire.

However Warner disagreed. He said such a move has been futile in the past and "the army would not be enough" to deal with the matter.

Warner said the transopopration sector is 'evovlving' and when the whole issue is addressed it is clear that the State is left with “little option to provide a regulatory framework which would ensure the protection of the people and order in the system.”

He suggested that prosecution of the “PH” taxi drivers had been futile. "The fines were increased profoundly and it didn’t go away... It can be doubled but it still wouldn’t go away,” Warner said.

Warner said his ministry’s legal department would prepare a draft proposal, based on the recommendations made during the consultation. He promised that officials will post the draft at the Licensing offices by Wednesday for public viewing and comment.

Warner said the People's Partnership made a commitment to serve the people and this initiative is one of those areas of service.

However representatives of licenced taxis remain unconvinced, saying that government appears to be accepting and legitimizing lawlessness.

Gerard Whyms, president of the Auxiliary Transport Association, which represents “PH” drivers, called on taxi operators to be "compassionate" and to work in harmony with the "PH" drivers.