How much of their profits do maxi taxi owners and the Maxi Taxi Association (MTA) give to the government? Do they discuss with their travelling public or the government, increases in their fares?
Are they providing a social service without regard for profits?
Who is the primary beneficiary of the maxi-taxi?
What is the role of the Maxi Taxi Advisory Committee (MTAC)?
Admittedly, owing to secretive, ill-practised or non-existent government transportation policies, maxi-taxis provide a valuable service to the travelling public.
However, without passengers, there would be no need for maxi-taxis.
In light of the inattention of governments, past and present, to efficient public transportation, maxi-taxis not only provide value but should undoubtedly be profitable.
The primary purpose of any business organisation is to satisfy its customers.
What have thåe MTA and the MTAC done to ensure satisfied and happy passengers?
The passengers are not predisposed to ensuring the MTA is profitable but will gravitate to maxi taxis once their service holds value.
Maxi taxis provide a competing service with taxis, buses and private cars albeit at a lesser price than taxis.
However, the travelling public makes its choice. Consequently, it is in the interests of the MTA and MTAC to make sure that the maxi-taxi travelling public is satisfied and enthusiastic to use maxi-taxis.
One has to wait longer periods if travelling by maxi taxi compared to using a taxi.
Therefore it is essential that adequate physical amenities, such as toilet facilities, sanitising facilities in light of the pandemic and clean surroundings be provided.
This matters to the potential passenger who will make a decision on whether or not to use a maxi-taxi.
What prevents the MTA from putting aside one dollar from its fare towards addressing physical amenities?
Wouldn’t this amass to thousands of dollars, daily?
Instead of decrying any government’s lack of support and enthusiasm in assisting maxi-taxi owners, the MTAC should provide beneficial advice to the MTA, to utilise its resources to profitably manage its affairs, provide good customer service and become an enviable and sought-after transportation entity.
Fare increases are not the solution.