The president of the Route Two Maxi Taxi Association has accused Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner of trying to "mash up" the maxi taxi industry.
Linus Phillip made the comment to the Trinidad Express in response to a statement by the minister that the government is considering a tax for the use of the City Gate facilities in Port of Spain.
The maxis used to pay a $1 exit fee for each vehicle leaving the compound. But the Privy Council ruled last month that the Public Transport Service Corporation has to refund the millions paid and stop charging the fee.
The PTSC has agreed to pay back the money but had planned to stop paying to maintain the facility and provide security. PTSC Chairman Devant Maharaj said the maxi operators asked the transit corporation to hold on that and suggested that they could consider paying a small fee.
However Phillip is saying it is wrong to impose a tax or any new fee when the exit fee was deemed "unconstitutional by a judge".
The December 12, 2010 ruling was based not on the legality of the fee but on the fact that the fee was part of an arrangement between the taxi operators and the PTSC and that the PTSC reneged on the agreement.
Linus Phillip made the comment to the Trinidad Express in response to a statement by the minister that the government is considering a tax for the use of the City Gate facilities in Port of Spain.
The maxis used to pay a $1 exit fee for each vehicle leaving the compound. But the Privy Council ruled last month that the Public Transport Service Corporation has to refund the millions paid and stop charging the fee.
The PTSC has agreed to pay back the money but had planned to stop paying to maintain the facility and provide security. PTSC Chairman Devant Maharaj said the maxi operators asked the transit corporation to hold on that and suggested that they could consider paying a small fee.
However Phillip is saying it is wrong to impose a tax or any new fee when the exit fee was deemed "unconstitutional by a judge".
The December 12, 2010 ruling was based not on the legality of the fee but on the fact that the fee was part of an arrangement between the taxi operators and the PTSC and that the PTSC reneged on the agreement.
Therefore the Law Lords determined that the fee should not be charged and ordered that the money be repaid.
Phillips is claiming that the suggested $3 fee or a new tax will have a trickle down effect and hurt commuters. And he said his association is going to seek legal advice on the matter.
Phillips is claiming that the suggested $3 fee or a new tax will have a trickle down effect and hurt commuters. And he said his association is going to seek legal advice on the matter.
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