San Fernando taxi drivers put fare increase on hold

The San Fernando/Port of Spain Taxi Association has temporarily suspended the decision to increase the fare. President of the association Hayden Whiskey said the matter will be discussed on Thursday at a press conference to be held at the King's Wharf in San Fernando at 10.30 am. Whiskey said the meeting will clarify why the association believes a fare increase is necessary.

The association authorised Kenneth Williams to speak on its behalf, and released a statement on Wednesday telling the public that the fare would be raised from $17 to $22. It would have come into effect on Monday.

The statement said owing to covid19 regulations implemented by the government, restricting the number of passengers taxis are allowed to carry by 50 per cent, the association had no alternative but to raise the fare.

"This rate increase has proven to be inevitable as the increased fare does not result in an increase of profits, but in fact only compensates for the reduction of passengers we are allowed to carry.”

Williams said the decision also came as a result of an increase in fuel prices on three occasions in the last five years. Williams said,"The association has not increased their fare since 2015.”

He said drivers were no longer able to absorb the cost of maintaining their vehicles while being compliant with physical distancing protocols.

Taxi driver Curtis Patterson, who has been working the route for 11 years, said, at 50 per cent capacity, taxi drivers were still operating at a loss.

Pattison said even if fares are raised to $22, he would still be running at a loss.

"A taxi man is a businessman," he said, adding that he will be unable to maintain his eight-seater vehicle with the current restrictions in place.

Not all taxi drivers, however, agree with the decision. Cleavon Matiste, who has been working the route for the past 20 years, said while an increase is necessary, $22 is too much.

“They could have charged at least an extra $3,” he said. “The travelling public already cool with $20 but I think that $22 is preposterous. My colleagues here would agree with me too.”

Matiste said most of the people who use public transportation are government workers.

“I am not transporting lawyers or judges. Is everyday, on-the-street people.”

Another taxi driver, who requested anonymity, said the increase in fare would be hard on the travelling public as well as on taxi drivers themselves. He fears the public will turn to alternative routes such as the water taxi or the bus.

Chaguanas taxi drivers said they would not be raising their prices. “We not raising at all,” said a Chaguanas driver. “All we want back is a percentage (for) the passengers we cannot carry.”

On May 16, the Prime Minister announced a one-time payment of a $2,000 fuel-support grant, which would be made available to registered maxi-taxi and taxi operators. Public transport will still be required to operate at 50 per cent capacity during phase two of operations under the public health regulations.

Matiste said the grant would certainly be helpful.