[UPDATED] Confusion at night

NARISSA FRASER

THE Curepe taxi stand will join the Port of Spain and Chaguanas stands in San Fernando, which are currently at King’s Wharf, from today. San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello made this announcement yesterday afternoon .

The three stands are now to be at the wharf from 6 am-5.30 pm, and on Upper High Street and Harris Promenade from 6 pm-5.30 am daily.

But drivers working the San Fernando to Port of Spain route and their passengers were left confused yesterday evening, as there were still No Parking signs at Library Corner even as late as 7.30 pm.

After driving up at the agreed time of 6 pm, drivers resorted to parking on the opposite (right) side of the road as the stand was still not reopened.

Police went and told the drivers they were breaking the law by parking there, but were left alone after the drivers explained the situation. They were told the city police have to remove the signs.

Some drivers were calm while others were visibly frustrated, arguing among themselves. Taxi drivers from Point Fortin and Siparia were also there.

The San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC) decided last week to relocate the Chaguanas and PoS stands for a two-week trial period.

Initially, the trial was scheduled for a month, but was reduced after drivers protested and attended meetings with the mayor. That change took effect yesterday morning.

Speaking with Newsday yesterday afternoon, president of the Port of Spain Taxi Drivers Association Kenneth Williams said he “can’t complain,” and drivers, including himself, believe the relocation is working out better than they expected.

The decision also to move the Curepe stand was a result of drivers expressing displeasure over being moved to their old stand on Library Corner. Drivers said some commuters who were unaware of the change opted to take Curepe taxis to reach PoS, rather than walking down to King’s Wharf. Others said it made no sense to move one stand to replace it with another if the aim was to ease traffic congestion.

In a press release yesterday afternoon, the mayor said the decision was made to alleviate traffic on High Street and environs.

He told Newsday the relocation “has created a loophole for Chaguanas cars to go in on that (Curepe) stand. We’re going to free the entire area. If they all co-operate, it will work.”

He said the SFCC plans to build a sheltered area, among other things, by the wharf for passengers.

Past president of the association Hayden Whiskey told Newsday yesterday, “We need to bring the three taxi stands together, because each of these stands are interlinked. This morning, while two associations are down here, one association got the lion’s share of the work, because they have the option of going any direction they so choose.

“But the mayor listened to what we said.”

This story was originally published with the title "Curepe taxi stand in SF'do to move tomorrow" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

FROM tomorrow, the Curepe taxi stand will join the Port of Spain and Chaguanas taxi stands in San Fernando, which are currently at King's Wharf. The decision was announced today by San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello.

The San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC) decided, last week, to relocate the Chaguanas and PoS stands for a two-week trial period.

Initially, the trial was scheduled for a month, but was reduced after drivers protested and attended meetings with the mayor.

The change took effect from today.

Speaking with Newsday this afternoon, president of the Port of Spain Taxi Drivers' Association Kenneth Williams said he "can't complain," and drivers, including himself, believe the relocation is working out better than they expected.

The decision also to move the Curepe stand was a result of drivers expressing displeasure at being moved to their old stand on Library Corner. Drivers said some commuters who were unaware of the change opted to take Curepe taxis to reach PoS, rather than walking down to King's Wharf.

Past president of the association Hayden Whiskey told Newsday, "We need to bring the three taxi stands together, because each of these stands are interlinked.

"This morning, while two associations are down here, one association got the lion's share of the work, because they have the option of going any direction they so choose. But the mayor listened to what we said and he would be bringing down the Curepe stand soon."

When contacted, the mayor confirmed the information. He said the decision was made to "alleviate traffic on High Street and environs."

"It (the relocation) has created a loophole for Chaguanas cars to go in on that (Curepe) stand. We're going to free the entire area. If they all cooperate, it will work."

He said the SFCC plans to build a sheltered area by the Wharf for passengers, among other things.

The three stands will be at King’s Wharf from 6 am-5.30 pm, and at Upper High Street and Harris Promenade from 6 pm-5.30 am daily.