Crime, less money a double worry for maxi drivers

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Maxi-taxi drivers are feeling the pinch.

Not only are they in the “red” and on the verge of collapse during the current COVID-19 pandemic, but many are being attacked by bandits with one murder occurring as well as several robberies.

Maxi-taxi drivers who spoke with Guardian Media, mainly red band maxi drivers, said just last week three drivers were robbed, one was stabbed.

Earlier this month driver Richard Joseph was murdered while plying his maxi in Cunupia.

Drivers are now asking for more patrols and increase visibility by the regular TTPS police officers as a deterrent to the criminal elements.

“If we could have police officers fixed along the route we would not be so frequently robbed because the officers would be patrolling and stopping and search random individuals and being able to intercept them and seize their guns and other weapons which they use to rob us. It happened before where we got the help needed from the police and we are asking for the police to facilitate us again this time,” the driver said.

Another driver, who also asked not to be named, said drivers are also constantly being targeted by bandits.

“Last month they robbed five maxis in one week and it has started again this month.”

But crime is not the only worry.

In March, drivers claimed about 26 owners lost their red-band maxis valued at approximately $750,000 when the vehicles were repossessed because they were unable to meet their loan requirements.

Speaking with the Guardian Media, a driver who works the Port-of-Spain to Sangre Grande route and asked not to be named said maxi drivers have lost as much as 80 per cent of their income.

“The money that we are earning a day pays a driver $7 to $14 a day. After we take out the cost of daily expenses—fuel fees etc that is what is going to lead to the collapse, because in March month 26 owners lost their investment by having their maxis repossessed because we are simply not making money and just to get that 30 per cent means you have to do double trips but the maxis are wearing down faster and faster,” the driver said.

Drivers are now calling on the Minister of Finance to consider grants for drivers.

Efforts to contact the president of the Red Band Route 2 Maxi Drivers Association, Linus Phillip for a comment proved futile as calls to his cellphone went unanswered.