Jack wants Water Taxi service to get creative

Transport Minister Jack Warner told reporters earlier this week that he is not sure that the Water Taxi service between Port of Spain and San Fernando is having the intended effect on easing traffic congestion.

On Thursday he reiterated the point at the post-cabinet news conference and said in his opinion only two boats are needed to operate the service.

The government is taking delivery of four new boats built in Australia for $430 million. The Manning government bought the new vessels.

Warner said the money has been paid so the Government will take possession of these water taxis when they arrive. "They have been paid for. There is nothing we can do,” he said.

However he said he plans to ask cabinet to sell the exisiting boats and two of the new ones.

He told reporters his plan is to get "maximum use" of the new boats when they arrive next month.

With regard to creative use of the vessels, Warner noted that the service is under utilised, especially on weekends.

“I don’t see why on a weekend when the demand is not as severe we can’t use these taxis for having excursions and renting them for people and so on. We have to find creative and better ways to make the things pay.”

Warner also spoke of the transport ministry's plan for regularising the PH taxi trade. He said he would like to hear the public views on the matter before submitting the recommendation to cabinet.

The minister noted that many people in urban areas who are critical of the plan don't understand or appreciate the hardships people face in rural communities where regular taxis don't operate.