Water taxi service losing $$ —Sharma

Government is speeding up construction of the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway, Transport Minister Chandresh Sharma said on Wednesday.

 So La Brea may have to wait for a water taxi service.

That’s mainly because the water-taxi service is too costly to subsidise and continues to run at a loss, Sharma said.

Replying to an Opposition  question in  Parliament on the water-taxi service for La Brea he said it incurred operational expenses  ranging from $34 million in 2009 to $14 million up to 2012.

He said the service earned revenue ranging from $3.3 million in 2009 to $7 million in 2012. Sharma said losses included $45 million  in 2011.

He said La Brea is well-serviced by PTSC buses, maxi taxis and private taxis and the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway is also being built, so there was no immediate rush to institute the water-taxi service at La Brea.