Maxi-taxing bus-ted

Maxi dus'... on the Bus (Route)

So tomorrow, the country is threatened with a virtual transport shutdown, as maxi-taxi drivers seem intent on hitting the beach, instead of the Bus Route. Indeed, some may not even travel, and might just as well keep their clutches home. It's ironic that many of the more vociferous - and government-critical - commentators on this issue seem to lack an important pre-qualification to talk... actual travelling experience.

Most of these mouthers are "suppositioning" about ph-rapists, ph-drug dealers, ph-murderers and the ilk. Point taken, but what about the TTDF-killers, VDF-kidnappers, H-drug dealers and that other ilk? Broadbrushing on discrimination is a poor debate technique... akin to shouting. It's a fact that were it not for the PH community of drivers, many public servants, professionals and service providers would not be able to function.

It's especially ironic that public servants are also grousing at this time, as it's no secret that a significant number of Clerk Is and IIs and similar grade can be seen plying their PH up to 8 a.m. and as early as 2 p.m. Think about it: how many times the newspapers identify an off-duty police/fire/prison officer being robbed/killed while plying for hire? Not to mention the famous line "An employee of the Ministry of ... was attacked..."

But back to critical service... some examples I personally know about:
* El Socorro/Aranjuez/Barataria: No H-cars after nine p.m. (EBC est. population: <16 br=""> * Curepe: No H-cars after nine p.m.
* Kelly/St. Helena: No H-cars after eight p.m.
* Arima-Sangre Grande: Few H-cars after ten p.m.
* St. Augustine (across highway): No H-cars at any time.
* St James: Inadequate H-cars before 8 a.m. and after seven p.m.

Now these are major town and villages.

I deign not to list the smaller communities where H-drivers would prefer to let their own grandmothers walk a mile and a half with three market bags, than to attempt to tackle the tumultuous terrian that would have once been called road. Second, the maxi drivers themselves should not be casting any stones around right now. They also are at the centre of much of the travelling public, when a six-dollar journey is converted into three-connection, $21 extortion ride.

Mind you, all of this is done under the relentless stare of the morning sun - gazing into the glare and praying for an honest driver with one seat free, and not a gung-ho wheel man with money on his mind. It's also strange that Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan would be making mass-transit vehicles out of table salt, as they are nowhere to be seen at the first sign of stormclouds. Vincy PM Ralph Gonsalves was once cautioned about "cockroaches getting involved in fowl business", and maybe it's a lesson that the maxi drivers should consider.

Now, to Jack Warner's response. Folks should remember that when one plays politics on an international level, the adversary should never throw caution to the wind. Jack is Minister, and he's calling out the bus drivers. If that solves the problem for one day, then we may have just found our solution to the rush-hour woes. If the drivers don't come out, then according to Dookeran, they could face some consequences.

It's different that the ol' Dooks would warn people of archaic laws before they break them. People like Inshan (who now knows to put contact information on his flyers) would surely appreciate this. Yes, we have all come to terms with the fact that economy is not where it should have been, and it may take a Herculean effort stop things from getting worse, if not to improve the current circumstance.

But with specific reference to this issue, what is need is a smart, tight plan to move forward.
* Either create two classes of taxis (but both with regulated and registered; with one class allowing for misdemeanor offences), or relax some of the restrictions for acquiring an H-badge
* Examining the insurance system where it relates to taxis and part-time taxis and recommending the necessary adjustments
* Enforcement of PBR contract with maxi taxis, with higher consequences for breaches; also a hotline for the public to call in infractions (look at some of the laws in Dominica)
* Continuous audit of public servants' attendance and performance (and a restructuring of the current appraisal system)