Senior Reporter
rhondor.dowlat@guardian.co.tt
Maxi taxi operators at City Gate in Port-of-Spain have called off a threat to withhold their services, at least until after Carnival as discussions are taking place about safety and security issues.
Following a spate of robberies and attacks in January at the transport hub, maxi taxi drivers and the Route 2 Maxi Taxi Association called for swift action and a stronger presence of law enforcement officers. They said they would not work as a form of protest against the attacks.
But yesterday, Brenton Knights, former VP and current financial member of the Route 2 Maxi Taxi Association said the priority now was getting full management of City Gate. He said there has been an increase in police patrols at the hubs particularly at night.
“The administrators have now placed armed security officers at night and this has helped us a great deal but discussions are still ongoing. The minister is trying his best to listen to us and address our issues immediately,” the operator said.
He added talks have been ongoing with the Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan about their concerns at City Gate and working specific routes.
“We will hold off on our strike action for now as discussions are ongoing. After Carnival we’ll see what happens next,” he added.
Knights said drivers are asking for Priority Bus Route passes to be made transferable to the next of kin in the event of death or retirement so that their respective businesses can continue.
He also said he wanted the demerit system to be reviewed for maxi taxi drivers where points and disqualifications are concerned, “there should be an incentive to change driving pattern, go to driving school instead of getting points and being disqualified in order for the points to be removed. Nobody is perfect.”
Knights added drivers and operators also want to maintain City Gate for themselves since they could pool together their own resources and solve infrastructure issues in and around the compound.