NIDCO to introduce POS to Tobago water taxi service in January

The National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO) plans to begin a water taxi service between Port-of-Spain and Scarborough, Tobago in January with a dedicated vessel capable of carrying 150 passengers.

NIDCO CEO Dr Carson Charles made the announcement at the Scarborough port Tuesday during an inspection of facilities for the service. He was accompanied by Tobago Development Minister Vernella Alleyne-Toppin and Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner.

Charles said a recent test run was favourable and confirmed that NIDCO would inaugurate the service in the new year.

He explained the vessel to be used would have to be capable of handling the turbulence between Trinidad and Tobago.

Warner told reporters the fare structure would be similar to that of the inter-island fast ferry service operated by the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT), adding that the water taxi service would complement the regular fast ferry service.

He said he is also focusing on a 30-minute service between Scarborough and Toco. However he said there is an urgent need to fix the road network of the Trinidad north-east coast before he introduces this service. 

“In Toco there is some work to be done, particularly on the road that leads to the berthing area and that will be done,” he said.

Warner added that it's not too much to spend $100 million to help connect the two islands, especially when the previous government spent "$578 million on a rapid rail study that is in a box."

The minister was also disappointed with the poor state of the facilities at the Scarborough port. He said he would be preparing a note to the Port Authority on the matter. "I am not happy with what I have seen here, nothing has changed since I was here last,” he said.