More PTSC buses, water taxis to ease transport woes for Wednesday's Maxi Taxi strike

The Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) will put more than 100 buses on the Priority Bus Route (PBR) Wednesday to ease problems for commuters that could be created if Max Taxi operators go ahead with their threat to take a day off.

In addition the National Infrastructure Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago will be adding more shifts for the water taxis, which will operate from San Fernando to Port-of- Spain, from 5.30 am to 9.30 pm.

The protest action by Maxi operators is against moves by Government to regularise private-hire (PH) taxi drivers. The maxi operators say Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner did not hold consultations with them on the matter.

However Transport Minister Jack Warner, speaking at a new conference in Port of Spain, told reporters it is sad that the maxi-taxi drivers sought to stay off the job and inconvenience the travelling public.

He dismissed the allegations that he has failed to consult with the Maxi operators. “I am the most accessible person, I have met with the maxi taxi association on four occasions. At the last one, we spoke at length about the PH driver issue, we didn’t agree with their submission and we said that to them,” he said.

Warner also noted that records at the ministry show that for the past eight years the association never met with his predecessor, Colm Imbert.

“Everybody seems to be in a protest mode, eight years they didn’t protest but they protest in six months. Let them try it out and see how they have failed, and they will never do it again,” he said.

Warner said he has canceled his travel to Qatar on FIFA business because it is important to be at home monitor the situation Wednesday.

PTSC chairman Devant Maharaj said the transit service ramped up repairs of buses after being notified over a week ago by the maxi-taxi association of their planned protest.

“On a normal day, there are approximately 15 to 20 buses on the PBR from Arima to Port-of- Spain. We shall have over 100 buses on the PBR that promises to serve 30,000 people. It will start from Arima from 5 am, and we will have a heavy bus turnout from 4 pm.

"We shall also be engaging bus marshals to drive on the buses to ensure passenger security. We shall also be ramping up terminal security in Port-of-Spain to ensure safety for all commuters,” he said.

Maharaj also said he has been assured that there will be a police presence in particular hot spots along the PBR. Maharaj also stated that commuters in other should not worry about the PTSC service.