Skip to playerSkip to main content
  • 2 days ago
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is encouraging striking maxi taxi operators to continue discussions with government officials after their three-day industrial action ends. While acknowledging that operators have raised concerns, the Prime Minister says government remains committed to working with the sector and ensuring commuters are not left stranded.
Transcript
00:00Prime Minister Kamala Prasad-Bissasa is extending an olive branch to the maxi-taxi operators as their three-day stride
00:08continues.
00:09Speaking on the planned action, the Prime Minister spoke to the country's maxi-taxi operators,
00:14describing the vast majority as decent, hard-working people who provide an essential service to thousands of commuters daily.
00:23She said, quote, the vast majority of maxi-taxi operators are decent, hard-working people who ensure that our loved
00:30ones get to work or school and back home safely.
00:33I have nothing negative to say about them because they provide a service that is generally efficient and safe, end
00:41quote.
00:42The Prime Minister said some of the concerns lodged by the association can be addressed, while others may require more
00:48extensive discussions.
00:50Prasad-Bissasa said, quote, I do think that they have some legitimate complaints that can be solved easily and some
00:57not so legitimate which may take more work.
01:01I'm informed the minister has been working on these issues for a while, end quote.
01:06Prasad-Bissasa encouraged operators to remain engaged with the relevant ministry once the protest action concludes.
01:13She also sought to reassure operators that government recognizes their contribution to society, adding, quote,
01:20at the end of the day, they are good law-abiding people and the government will assist them in any
01:27way possible to make their lives easier, end quote.
01:30Meanwhile, government is maintaining contingency measures to minimize disruption to commuters.
01:35The priority bus route, she said, will remain open to light-motor vehicles tomorrow,
01:40while national security vehicles will continue to stand by to provide transportation support where needed.
01:47The three-day strike has affected public transportation services across several parts of the country,
01:53with commuters forced to seek alternative means of travel.
01:56Urvashi Tabari, Rupnarain, TV6 News.
Comments