Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has insisted that maxi taxi operators have no justification for increasing fares, despite the Government’s decision to double the toll for use of the Priority Bus Route (PBR) from January 1, 2026.
The quarterly fee has risen from $300 to $600, a move that has drawn criticism from the Route 2 Maxi Taxi Association. Its president, Brenton Knights, described the increase as a “unilateral” decision and warned that drivers are preparing for “strong resistance.”
However, the Prime Minister maintains that the increase is negligible and should not be passed on to commuters.
She explained, “The new increased fee to use the Bus Route amounts to 3 dollars per day more. They have been paying 3 dollars per day for 37 years. Maxi taxi drivers will have to now have pay 6 dollars per day to use the bus route, that’s the price of a small Coca Cola.”
Persad-Bissessar added that the PBR is heavily subsidised by taxpayers, arguing that fare hikes would be unfair to the travelling public.
She said, “I can’t see why they would want to raise prices because currently it costs tens of millions to maintain and operate the bus route which is subsidized with taxpayers money.”
Detailing the scope of that subsidy, the Prime Minister said, “Taxpayers currently subsidize the costs to maintain the road markings, traffic lights, road surface, drainage, street lighting, city gate, security, PBR unit etc. I may be willing to give the association total control of the entire bus route if they are willing to take over all the costs.”
She reiterated that there was no justification for fares to rise by three dollars and went further, suggesting a broader policy shift could be considered.
“Maybe it’s time to open the bus route to everyone and that way the Maxi taxis can operate without any fee. I would also be willing to take this measure if they want.”
