Crime, PH drivers common concerns for taxi drivers

Of the challenges facing registered taxi drivers, issues of security and the growing numbers of private-hire (PH) drivers on the streets are two of their major concerns.

Taxi drivers voiced their views at a multi-stakeholder meeting on developing a framework for taxi drivers at the Ministry of Works and Transport on Monday.

The meeting, which was organised by the ministry on Richmond Street, Port of Spain, sought to promote dialogue between the government, the police and taxi drivers on their concerns.

During a question-and-answer session, several drivers from various associations on the East-West Corridor and South Trinidad directed their concerns to Police Commissioner Gary Griffith.

Alliston Saunders, president of the Hospital Taxi Drivers' Association, said his members were losing out to PH taxi drivers and being intimidated if they spoke out.

"No one here can go home on a third of their salary, and the intimidation is rampant.

"When we talk about it, they come on the stand start inspecting our vehicles. It is really unfair what this situation has become for us."

Another taxi driver, Jason Wickham, said the taxi stand for his route was on Charlotte Street, and noted the frequency of robberies in that area.

He also asked why unregistered drivers using white buses were allowed to transport passengers.

"Our stand is a target spot in that area where there are a lot of robberies and it's not a safe space for our commuters and us as taxi drivers who are just trying to provide a service.

"There are sites in Port of Spain where taxis cannot enter, and PH drivers are allowed to thrive, and it is harming us as taxi drivers."

Griffith said he noted the concern of the drivers and urged them to speak with ACP Jude Worrell of the police Traffic Unit and road safety co-ordinator Cpl Brent Batson, who was also at the meeting.

He said these issues were priorities but would require in-person visits by divisional police to better understand and address the issues.

"The only way I will be able to rectify these concerns is to do an on-the-site reconnaisance to look at the situation and be there at that location, because I heard numerous concerns right across TT from the airport, the hotels, to Maloney, Arima, Princes Town, George Street and every single one will have a different, need, threat and concern and probably a different recommendation on how that can be done.

"The only way that can be done is to give your number and that way you can have the relevant head of the region or the head of the division meet with you all on the site so we can do a walkthrough and see how best we can rectify the situation."

To a call from one driver for the police to show more leniency on taxi stands, Griffith said while officers on the ground could show some flexibility, they had to balance this with possible consequences.