Even though T&T's new fast ferry water taxis are operating at a loss of $41 million a year, the Government is continuing to spend millions to improve the service.Documents obtained by the Sunday Guardian from the National Infrastructure Development Co (Nidco) reveal plans were afoot to improve one of the ferries with a T-foil and enhanced ride control to cut through rough waters.
A T-foil is a winglike structure attached to the hull of a boat that raises all or part of the hull out of the water when the boat is moving forward, thus reducing drag. The newly-outfitted boat is expected to be used for regional charters to Venezuela and Grenada.In a 2013 internal report, proposals were also made to upgrade the existing terminal in Port-of-Spain, which was found to be "too small to accommodate over 1,500 passengers who use the ferries on a daily basis."
Monies have also been spent on sending technicians for training with the original engine manufacturer (MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH) in the United States and also to the original water jet manufacturer (Rolls Royce) to repair the vessels if the need arises.
The two-year warranty of the new vessels, the Paria Bullet, Carnival Runner, Trini Flash and Calypso Sprinter, which cost the Government $378 million–expired in September 2012. Those vessels were purchased by former minister Jack Warner in 2010, after the previous second-hand fleet, ordered under the PNM, failed to get off the ground. This fleet was put up for public auction and was valued at a fraction of its cost.
The report also said that plans were afoot to encourage charter services to Venezuela.Speaking at his office at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre in Port-of-Spain, last week, Transport Minister Chandresh Sharma said the water taxi service was operating at a loss.He said the service may be phased out in the future if the Government does not come up with a plan to make it profitable. That is why monies have to be spent to expand the service nationally and regionally, Sharma said.
To facilitate this, new terminal facilities have been built at Chaguaramas.
Value for money
However, Sharma said while the water taxi had alleviated traffic congestion in the capital city, further measures were being put in place to alleviate congestion through other far less expensive options.He said "the taxpayers are paying a sizable sum annually to maintain this luxury."It costs the State $100 per seat to operate the ferry. Tickets for the ferry are priced at $15, so it means the taxpayers are subsiding it by $85 per seat. It is not our intention to waste the tax payers money in this way.
"We have to look at the best use for money. However, this does not mean that there shouldn't be a water taxi. It means that we have to find a way to make the water taxi more sustainable."Saying that chartering the ferries was a good idea, Sharma explained that expanding the route to Point Fortin may not be viable right now based on logistics. He said millions of dollars will have to be spent on port and terminal facilities at Point Fortin, before the service comes on stream.
He said while the water taxis was a "brilliant idea," it was poorly planned by the previous adminstration. He said the four ferries–HC Olivia, HC Katia, HC Milancia and HC Sue–were a national disgrace, as the HC Sue never got off the ground. Those ferries had to be put up for public auction.
In September 2010, the Government obtained four newly-constructed 41-metre vessels, which replaced the old fleet. The new vessels–the Paria Bullet, Carnival Runner, Trini Flash and Calypso Sprinter–caters for 405 passengers and offered higher speeds of 35 knots, compared with the older vessels' 28 knots speed limit.
2012 achievements
Last year, millions of dollars were also spent to improve the service. These included commissioning a new San Fernando terminal building, with an upgraded passenger lounge, new maintenance workshop, crew resting accommodation and enhanced office accommodation for staff. In August 2012, the water taxi undertook a charter to Grenada, the first regional voyage for the service. There was also a reduction in sailings resulting in an annual saving of $3.5 million.
A marketing contract was also awarded in 2012 to Advertising Agencies Ltd for the purpose of diversifying the service's revenue through advertising agencies. Staff members were also trained in customer service and procurement. The water taxi service also participated in a School's Educational Partnership with Digicel IMAX, providing reduced cost for group sailings between San Fernando and Port-of-Spain to schools participating in the programme.
New park and ride coming in December
Sharma said by December, the Government hoped to operate a park-and-ride shuttle system from the Tarouba stadium, which would take between 400 to 1,000 cars off the streets."The water taxi costs taxpayers $41 million annually so the economic return is zero. We have to find another way to get people into Port-of-Spain," Sharma said.He explained that the Tarouba stadium has parking for 1,800 vehicles.
"If we can get 1,000 motorists to park at the stadium and we shuttle them to Port-of-Spain, this will be more feasible than using the water taxi," he said.