I travel frequently on the Fast Ferry from Trinidad to Tobago, almost every month. Firstly, I would like to say that the service is the best thing that has happened to our paradise for years.It must also assist in giving Tobago tourism a small boost as international arrivals have fallen off in recent years.Having said this, the system that is in place for handling passengers and vehicles in Scarborough is absolutely brilliant.
It works like clockwork in that a passenger can remain in his vehicle, check in at the entry point and await their departure.Sadly, the ferry departure from Port-of-Spain can only be described as "organised chaos." On arrival, a passenger can attempt to park in a car park that is too small, or to park on the disused roadway parallel to Wrightson Road. This is a nightmare!
On the disused roadway car park there is nowhere to turn and to add to the critical shortage of parking space, there is a large flat bed truck, licence number TT 1626 that has been abandoned in the same spot for years.The tray of this vehicle has become a garbage dump for filth and flies.Alongside this eyesore is a huge, gaping hole in the roadway that is filled with a large barrel that warns drivers of the impending danger.
Next to the barrel is another large hole that is covered with a flimsy piece of steel sheeting.I would like to add that this area is unlit and to avoid these man-made obstacles at 5 am in total darkness for a 6.30 am departure, is intolerable.This is an open letter to whoever is in charge of the port operations to please make some effort to rectify this on-going daily occurrence of organised chaos.
Andy Campbell
via e-mail