In a bid to reduce the petroleum subsidy on fuel, the Association of Maxi Taxis of T&T has embarked on a plan to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered maxi taxis.
Executive member of the association Brent Munroe said in addition to it being a more environmentally friendly fuel, replacing diesel-powered vehicles with CNG vehicles would serve the purpose of reducing the $4 billion fuel subsidy.
Munroe was among four members of the association who visited China in June on a fact-finding mission to source suitable CNG powered maxi taxis for T&T's market.
"We were very satisfied with the vehicles we saw there and we have to put steps in place to introduce those in the market as soon as possible.
"Replacing diesel-powered maxi-taxis with the CNG powered vehicles is going to have a drastic reduction in the fuel subsidy and we think that is a step in the right direction in keeping with Government's policy of eradicating the fuel subsidy," Munroe said in an interview.
Responding to concerns about insufficient CNG re-fueling stations, Munroe said only 20 per cent of the stations currently in place were being used.
A recent graduate of the National Gas Company (NGC) and National Energy Skills Centre (NESC) First Cohort of the CNG Engine Maintenance Fundamentals, Munroe spoke of the strategic plan put forward by NGC to have between 18-24 new CNG stations come on stream shortly.
He assured that the new CNG powered maxi taxis should not impact on the current fares.
To this end, he said, the association was against Government's decision to pursue the rapid rail transportation system which could destroy the livelihood of maxi taxi drivers.
"We do not support the rapid rail. We think it is a waste of taxpayers money that is going to be a heavy burden on the Treasury for a long time to come. We think there are cheaper alternatives that are available to us right now but which the Government doesn't want to implement because of their own objectives."
Munroe recalled that the feasibility study undertaken by the former People's National Movement (PNM) administration in 2009, which Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley's administration is using as the basis to go foward with the plan, had never been made public.
"We want to see the numbers. We want to know how much it is costing. We want to understand all that there is about this project. A lot of us may say we want train but at what cost? Are citizens willing to pay higher taxes and passengers more money every day just for the sake of travelling on a train?" he added.
He said prior to losing the 2010 general election the PNM had placed the cost of travel by train at a subsidised $10 fare when maxi taxis were charging $5 for the same route.
"We are the largest stakeholders in the transportation industry and before any decision to introduce rapid rail is made we must be consulted. Government cannot put more burden on taxpayers to subsidise a rapid rail form of transportation. They are already subsidising the water taxi to the tune of $41 million annually. If the Government want to bring the train, do so at the true cost, not subsidise it."
He said Government must level the playing field because maxi taxis were 100 per cent privately owned and were not benefiting from government subsidies.
Works Minister Fitzgerald Hinds has said he believed the rapid rail was the best way to go to deal with the traffic problem in the country.