Taxi drivers want ‘ease-up’ in budget

President of the TT Taxi Drivers Network, Adrian Acosta, hopes to hear “good news” from the Government in the upcoming budget presentation for people in the trade.

On Friday, at a press conference at Library Corner in San Fernando, Acosta said “through the grapevine” divers had heard things would get “a little rough.”

Acosta complained that the Government had increased fuel prices about eight times over the past eight years.

He said any further adjustment would bring great pressure, not just on the travelling public, but on the people of TT. He spoke on behalf of the network.

“I do not think, as taxi drivers, that we could take another increase.

“We are struggling because of the fact that the price of gas keeps going up at every budget. We are trying our best to refrain from passing that on to the public,” Acosta said. “We do not know what would happen if something like that happens in this budget. We are saying to the Government, think about the citizens. Give us a little ease-up in this budget.”

Finance Minister Colm Imbert has announced October 2 as budget day.

Acosta expressed concerns about rumours that some service stations are to be sold to private owners. He added, “We have faith that it is just a rumour.”

Acosta was critical of bad roads nationwide, saying many drivers complain about the increased maintenance costs they face daily.

“It is putting great pressure on them. We also drive high-maintenance vehicles and we are appealing to the Government to try to fix some of the roads.”

He cited roads in Barrackpore, saying people have been clamouring for repairs there, but nothing has been done.

Yet again, Acosta accused “PH” drivers of obstructing registered taxi drivers. He said “PH” drivers in the past usually worked in the evenings and at night.

“Now, they are working the whole day. We are not against anyone looking to earn a dollar, but at the end of the day, we have done all that we were supposed to do to become taxi drivers. If they want to be taxi drivers, there is a procedure to follow.”

Acosta appealed to the Government for more police patrols to address “whatever situations” that might pop up daily. Crime, he said, continues to affect everyone, including taxi drivers.

“We deal with cash daily, and we know that at times, there would be people who would try to do things that are not just and right.”