Maxi taxi shut down leaves Sangre Grande commuters scrambling

RALPH BANWARIE

Commuters travelling out of Sangre Grande this morning who depended on maxi taxis for transportation were forced to use PTSC buses, seven-seater taxis and commercial taxis as maxi taxi operators began a three-day protest today.

When Guardian Media visited the maxi taxi hub on Brierley Street and the Eastern Main Road, there were no maxi taxis in operation. The locations from which the red-band maxi taxis normally operate were empty.

The operators are protesting for authorities to increase the highway speed limit for maxi taxis from 65 km/h to 80 km/h, address escalating crime affecting operators and passengers, crack down on illegal PH taxi operators, pay outstanding monies owed to drivers for transporting schoolchildren, upgrade and improve maxi taxi hubs and terminals, create a system to allow operators to make NIS contributions, and deliver on commitments made during meetings with transport officials.

A few small maxi taxis and two large maxi taxis were operating school transport services from the hub.

One driver, who was waiting to begin his school run to Valencia and declined to appear on camera, said that after completing the trip he would be going straight home.

He recalled that during the last protest, a maxi taxi was stopped along the Beetham Highway and pelted with rotten eggs. Passengers were reportedly told to leave the vehicle or risk having rotten eggs thrown at them as well.

As a result of the protest, some parents were forced to carpool to get their children to school.

With Form Five and Form Six students currently writing examinations, parents and teachers said the timing of the protest was unfair to students.

They argued that maxi taxi operators could have scheduled the protest during the July-August vacation period.

Some students whom Guardian Media met at the hub said they had examinations today and were waiting for rides from friends’ parents.

Several employees who work outside Sangre Grande said they expected to arrive late for work. Some contacted their employers to advise them of delays, while others said they intended to take leave because they anticipated difficulties getting back home.

Police officers were stationed at various locations throughout Sangre Grande to monitor the protest.

Meanwhile, plans to relocate the Ojoe Road and Foster Road taxi stands were dismissed by senior police officers, and drivers were allowed to continue operating from their original taxi stands.