A planned protest by Route 2 Maxi Taxi operators calling for more security was cancelled on Friday and the association representing the drivers are appealing to them to report incidents of crime to the association and the police.
The action comes after the maxi operator Earl Griffith was shot in the face by bandits one week ago. Guardian Media understands that Griffith was plying his maxi on the Priority Bus Route in the vicinity of Tenth Avenue, Barataria, when a bandit entered his maxi and said it was a hold up.
Griffith reportedly pushed the bandit out of the maxi but the gunman shot Griffith.
Griffith drove to Morvant Junction where he saw police officers at a construction site and they assisted him to get to the hospital.
He is currently warded in hospital in a stable but critical condition.
Route 2 Maxi Taxi Association president Linus Phillip, speaking to Guardian Media, said the action by the drivers was not sanctioned by the association and the association has also placed a disclaimer on social media that they were not part of the action.
He said drivers are emotional about the incident but shutting down the service will not serve right for the general public and the approach to deal with incidents of crime against drivers while plying the route must be one that will yield a fruitful outcome.
He said, “The challenge we have with our operators is that many of them are not reporting incidents of robbery, we have avail our operators with a book at our office for them to report incidents as well as to go to the police but this has not been happening.”
Phillip added, “Once drivers do this it will allow the association to be able to raise concerns on their behalf with the authorities on security matters on the bus route.”
Phillip noted that if the association has no data of incidents this cannot help the “protective services to serve our interest and to quell the incidents along the route.”
Guardian Media understands that one female driver was robbed and the bandits threaten her if she made a police report about the incident.
Linus said Griffith is currently in need of blood and came off the ventilator at the hospital.
He further noted that the association and other members are preparing to support Griffith’s family in this trying time.
He said it makes no sense taking action to shut down their service at this time.