Police Commissioner Says TTPS Ready For Day Three Of Maxi-Taxi Disruption
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service says it is already preparing for a possible third day of disruption caused by reduced maxi-taxi services.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro gave the assurance on Tuesday afternoon while speaking with reporters at City Gate, where the TTPS joined forces with other State agencies to provide increased support to both the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) and commuters.
« I promised yesterday and I am here today in preparation for Day 3. We have already put things in place with our various assessments. What I have observed was a significant amount of maxi taxis have apparently broken ranks already. And we are seeing them plying their trade along the bus route at this point in time. I’m not certain if they have decided to call off the strike. I cannot speak to that. That is the Maxi Taxi Association and their business but we will continue to support the PTSC in our efforts to make sure that T&T is able to traverse to their various homes safely. »
The TTPS was supported on Tuesday by the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, the Fire Service, and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), all of which deployed additional vehicles to assist with transporting members of the public.
Commissioner Guevarro said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to maintain public safety during any possible disruption.
« When your grandmother or your sick child, or your school-aged child, is stranded at five or six pm. at City Gate and are unable to get the necessary transport to get to their respective homes, then we go back to the old adage, ‘Who feels it knows it.’ One of the things I noticed personally yesterday, there was no disorderly behaviour by any members of the public. They cooperated fully with my officers. They boarded the buses and were taken safely to their destinations. »
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour was also present at City Gate and, while he did not disclose details of a recent meeting with maxi-taxi operators, he described the discussions as « cordial. »
The Police Commissioner also expressed gratitude to the supporting agencies that helped to ease the burden on commuters.
« We now have other departments that have come on board, the Fire Service, the ODPM, and other units so you can actually see an almost 200% increase in the transportation capacity being rendered to the PTSC for mass transit today. »
