One week after new maxi taxi fares along the East/West corridor took effect passengers says they are confused over the short drop fee. Commuters polled at the City Gate Hub in Port-of-Spain said they were unsure of the correct short drop price. The confusion arose owing to a misprint on the tariff cards displayed in maxi taxis working along the Eastern Main Road.
Brenton Knights, vice president of the Route 2 Maxi Taxi Association, said the cost for short drops on the Priority Bus Route (PBR) is $4 and the cost for short drops are on the Eastern Main Road is $3. “In one of the papers we clarified that short drops along the Eastern Main Road are $3 and the Bus Route short drops are $4, but you will still get people who are confused. I just think that it is the transition period that is going on now,” Knights said. The fare increase began on Monday.
Marcial McLean, a commuter from Mt Lambert said “It is about time that they raise the fare. I think it was too cheap before.” She said she thought the price for the short drops were $3. “It should stay to three. If you want to go from here to there on a short drop, people should not have to pay $4,” McLean said.
Another passenger, who only identified herself as Patrice, said: “This morning I was on the main road to go from Curepe to Mt Hope and I did not notice a difference. I then took the bus route to Port-of-Spain. I guess I paid $5. I did not realise that the fares went up,” she said. Nicole Derrick, of Laventille, also said she did not notice a change in fares.
“I have been travelling whole week and no one has charged me $4 for a short drop. The whole week I have been tavelling and they have not charged me an extra dollar,” she said.
When asked about the disparity in the different experiences the commuters had, Knights said the drivers are still becoming accustomed to the new price. “When you introduce something that is relatively new, it takes time to adjust. We are not encountering any major problems. Some drivers are still charging the old prices and they have to get accustomed to the prices,” Knights said.