Republic of Trinidad & Tobago – Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan says his ministry is in discussions with Attorney General Faris Al Rawi on the issue of PH (private-hire) taxis.
But these discussions, he said, are not about possibly regulating this service, but to allow more drivers to become registered taxi drivers.
He was responding to urgent questions in the Senate on Tuesday morning.
Independent Senator Paul Richards asked, “Following the events involving a PH taxi which may have led to the death of a female teenager from Barataria (Ashanti Riley), what measures are being put in place to address the operations of PH taxis?”
Riley, 18, left her San Juan home last Sunday to visit her grandmother, but went missing after entering a PH taxi. She was found dead in Santa Cruz on Friday.
Sinanan reminded Richards since the operations of PH taxis are illegal, the enforcement of the law against them falls under the portfolio of the Ministry of National Security.
He called on the public to “treat the system as such so as to assist the authority in leading those participating in this trade into the regulated environment provided for transportation in TT.”
He said it was recognised that PH cars abound.
“And over time, the State has sought to put measures in place to encourage those who ply the trade via this medium into the regulatory sector.”
He said the Transport Ministry will continue to assist the National Security Ministry through the traffic warden system, the Transport Division of motor vehicle officers and “the clear demarcation of taxi and bus terminals…
“At present, we have, once again, started discussions with the AG to develop mechanisms to allow as many individuals desirous of entering into the provision of transportation services to do so via a system which will allow for the necessary safety and security requirements required.”
Follow us on our Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest stories, products & updates.
