38 percent drop in arrivals from “inter-island ferry issues”

Passenger arrivals via the fast ferry from Trinidad to Tobago dropped by 38 percent to just 276,981 in the 2016-2017 financial year, from the previous year while arrivals via air increased over 2015-2016 figures.

Nadine Stewart-Phillips, Secretary for Tourism, Culture and Transportation, in giving this information, said the decrease on domestic passengers to Tobago for the last year was a direct result of “inter-island ferry issues.”

In her presentation at last Thursday plenary where debate took place on policy measures to manage the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) finances, Stewart-Phillips said:

“Domestic ferry passenger arrivals for 2016-2017 was recorded at 276,981 passengers. This reflected a 38 percent decrease when compared to the previous financial year, 2015-2016. This was due to the inter-island ferry issues.”

She added, “There has been an increase (in arrivals) with the exceptions of the arrivals by sea,” noting that international passenger arrivals to Tobago for fiscal 2016- 2017 increased by 7.4 percent to 270,965 over 2015-2016’ arrivals of 260,050.

“Indirect international passenger arrivals to Tobago for the financial year 2016-2016 were 7,410 when compared to 2015-2016 which had 4,676 arrivals. Domestic passengers by air to Tobago for 2016-2017 were 485,882,” she said.

Earlier in the question/answer segment of the sitting, Farley Augustine, Minority member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside has asked Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles for an update on the status of inter-island transportation, referring specifically to inappropriate accommodations for truckers on the cargo ferry, the Cabo Star - limited access to cabins and non- functional toilets – and rescheduled sailings of the T&T Express due to mechanical issues as well as the fact that the last flight by Caribbean Airlines from Tobago to Trinidad was now at 9.45 om, from its previous 1:45 am slot, due to run-way works at the airport.

“Given the Tobago House of Assembly of responsibility for infrastructure, including air and sea transportation, wharves and airports and public utilities under the 5th schedule of the THA Act 20 of 1996, please provide an update on the provision system between Trinidad and Tobago,” Augustine requested of Charles.

Charles replied that a public tender invitation was issued for a new fast ferry, that 44 applications were received and that 11 vessels were submitted for consideration to the evaluation committee. He said the Tobago Division of the TT Chamber of Commerce declined an invitation for a Tobago representative to sit on the evaluation committee for the selection of a new fast ferry for sea bridge.

Finance and the Economy Secretary Joel Jack, in his contribution to the debate on the motion have the House accept the police measures by the Executive Council to manage the THA financial resources, agreed that the issues facing the inter-island transportation system was negatively affecting Tobago business.

“The ongoing difficulties with the sea bridge and the challenges with the air bridge adversely impact business activity and productivity on the island. We are insisting the situation is untenable and Tobago needs a more reliable service. We continue to work with the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean Airlines to resolve the current challenges that we are experiencing with the inter-island transportation system,” Jack maintained.

Stewart-Phillips also told the Chamber that the THA was currently engaging in discussions for an upgrade of the ANR Robinson International airport terminal.

“Tobago does not lack airlift, what we do have is a lot of unused capacity and that represent an opportunity for us. We must develop strategic marketing visibility to fill the capacity and win over the other islands’ market share,” she said.