La Romaine taxi drivers to wear uniforms

Concerned about increasing reports of violence against women, members of the La Romaine-Gulf City Taxi Drivers Association decided to adopt a dress code. The move is geared towards making passengers, especially females, feel safer while travelling.

Passengers can now easily identify legitimate taxi drivers as a result.

The launch of the uniforms (coloured custom-designed shirts with the driver’s name) took place on Thursday at Harris Promenade in San Fernando.

Association president Reynold Dass extended condolences to the relatives and friends of murder victims Ashanti Riley and Andrea Bharatt, saying the association’s move was long overdue.

Both young women were last seen alive after getting into PH cars.

Dass estimated the association, which is part of the TT Taxi Drivers Network, has about 250 registered drivers. So far, about 25 have bought shirts. A shirt costs $135, and only the president can buy it, via Print Ideas Ltd in Macaulay, Claxton Bay.

"We are looking forward to the rest of them joining with us. We have six colours. We have the support of the mayor and the police. We are also asking all taxi drivers in TT to join forces with us," Dass said.

"We are also looking at gathering the names, addresses, and registration numbers of each member to give to the mayor. That way, if something happens, the police can find the driver."

He said from what he was told taxi drivers in other areas like Port of Spain have similar initiatives.

Also speaking at the launch, San Fernando major Junia Regrello said the murders of Riley and Bharatt raised safety issues for the travelling public.

Regrello said the association’s initiative is a step in the right direction, and the drivers must be commended. He said he hopes drivers from other routes would follow. The San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC) is collaborating with all the taxi associations, he said, to ensure the public is protected.

On violence against women, Regrello said: "Men, if you have a problem, learn to control your anger. We (society) have to go back to the churches and talk to God."

He said help is available to women in abusive situations through the police, the corporation, and other agencies.

Supt Ian Carty and ASP Shereen Theodore-Persad of the Southern Division also attended. Carty said they came to show support and give kudos for the initiative, which ensures greater safety to the travelling public. Snr Supt Cecil Santana, Insp Michael Fraser and other municipal police also attended.

President of the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce Kiran Singh said he was proud of the initiative, and expects drivers from other routes to follow. He said he stands committed to working with taxi drivers.

Some drivers from the Princes Town-San Fernando route recently began wearing matching T-shirts. But the president of that association, Dennis Jagessar, said the association did not approve the use of any uniforms for its drivers.

The SFCC issued a public notice on Thursday on the move of the Chaguanas taxi stand from King’s Wharf to Upper High Street from Linda’s Bakery to Republic Bank. It is effective from March 15.

The notice said the decision was made at a council meeting on March 9, after discussions with the taxi associations and the traffic management committee.