NIDCO considering fare increase for Water Taxi

The Water Taxi service between Port of Spain and San Fernando is operating at a loss and commuters might have to pay more for the ride. 

The National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) which operates the service, is considering adding $5 to the $15 one-way one way fare.

The CEO of NIDCO, Dr Carson Charles, said: “Government decides how much subsidy it provides and our job is to run the best service we can for the finances made available.”

He added, "There has been suggestion of raising it from $15 to $20, but it is under discussion...We did some surveys that suggested it is not too much trouble. But it involves money. 

People would not want to pay much money. I think we may eventually raise it from $15 to $20. It is not much of an increase.”

Charles was speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony to formally open a $15 million Water Taxi terminal in San Fernando.

Transport Minister Chandresh Sharma was present at the event as part of his tour of agencies in San Fernando under his portfolio. 

Sharma also toured the Public Transportation Service Corporation (PTSC) bus terminus at King’s Wharf and the San Fernando Licensing Office at Pleasantville.

The minister said he will be meeting with Nidco next week “to review where we are” with the service. “There are hard decisions that have to be made but they have to be made in the interest of everyone," he added.