Sascha Wilson
The photo-identification requirement for passengers boarding the water taxi has received mixed reactions from members of the public who use the service.
Some passengers complained that it was an inconvenience and caused a delay in boarding, while others felt it was necessary to ensure their safety and security.
Several passengers at the Water Taxi Terminal at King’s Wharf, San Fernando yesterday spoke about the new measure.
Louise Poy Wing, who has been using the service since 2009, is unhappy with the new system, describing it as “quite an inconvenience.”
“It’s cumbersome. The boarding process is a little longer. Since the inception of the water taxi service we haven’t had to do that,” she said.
Another passenger Cameron Boodoo said it was his first time using the service since the new measure was introduced.
While he said it might be useful security-wise, Boodoo did not think it was necessary. Another passenger Renwick Lewis felt the measure would be more of an inconvenience for passengers rather than helpful. Giving it a thumbs up, passenger Leela Arjoon said the identification requirement was a good system, especially in an emergency.
“You account for everybody who is travelling. It’s a good system even with the insurance, it is a good system,” Lewis said.
Betsy Samai-Ramsingh agreed with her. “I think it is for insurance purposes so if it is a practice whereby it is for our safety eventually it would work out to our benefit.” But Samai-Ramsingh did not think the new procedure was causing much delay or inconvenience.
In a media release on August 30, the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO) announced that passengers 16 years and over would be required to present valid government-issued identification documents to sail on the vessels.
According to the Shipping (Local Passenger Ship Safety) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, the service must now provide the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard with a list of all passengers and crew before each sailing.
NIDCO stated that it would help to ensure an accurate record of everyone on board, especially in cases of emergencies. The forms of identification include a driver’s permit, national identification card, or passport. Passengers under 16 must travel with an adult. A customer service representative will record the names of all passengers before they board.
