Maxi-taxi drivers to strike for three days over unresolved issues

Maxi-taxi operators across Trinidad and Tobago are set to disrupt commuter services for three days starting June 1. The Association of Maxi-Taxi Trinidad and Tobago (AMTTT) announced a "rest and reflect" period from June 1 to June 3, citing decades of "long-standing neglect and unaddressed issues" within the industry.

The operators' grievances are extensive. A primary concern is the proliferation of illegal "white buses" operating on established maxi-taxi routes, a problem they say is worsened by the Licensing Office's registration processes. The AMTTT believes implementing "chequered-band vehicles" could help, but this and other related issues have stalled for over five years.

Further demands include raising the speed limit for maxi-taxis from 65 km/h to 80 km/h, a request outstanding since 2021. Operators also seek clear policies for transferring Priority Bus Route (PBR) passes, an issue unresolved for over two decades. The development and management of transportation hubs, a concern for more than 30 years, are also on the agenda.

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the long-standing neglect and unaddressed issues that have plagued our maxi taxi industry nationwide for decades.

School transportation operators are pushing for overdue concessionaire payments and defined zones for drop-off and pick-up services. Additionally, the AMTTT wants access to thoroughfares and overpasses similar to those used by public buses. Other issues include NIS contributions for self-employed drivers, clearer legal guidelines for radio permits, improved night-time safety, and revised requirements for intra-city passes.

While the association acknowledges the current administration's recognition of these challenges and pledged solutions, operators are still awaiting "meaningful progress."

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