Maxi Taxi: As dated as the 1970s...

"Mam, a day for me using de maxi taxi service is not ah easy one, especially when I wuk so far from home. No no no no no, I'm not from San Fernando inno. I come from Cedros Village every mornin' hopin' to catch a maxi from Point Fortin to San Fernando......I wukkin' security in Point Lisas inno Mam. So after I take ah Point-Sando maxi is den tuh walk tuh de top  ah High Street and ketch de van tuh go Point Lisas..............I have tuh wake 4:00 am 3 times ah week an' ah lucky if it doh have rush on mornings to reach Sando or even when I have tuh travel back home whooo sah!! It does be pressah. Yuh does just have tuh hope uh ketch de maxi on time or if not ketch de maxi tuh go home if it have.......Oda dan dat mam, de service ain' too bad na!"- ANONYMOUS

                        The maxi taxi stand stirs this week's focus as a very popular mode of transportation that travels in, around and out the city of San Fernando. After its establishment in 1971, the maxi taxi service has continued to transport citizens to and from various locations in the Southern District. The maxi taxi stand that is located on the Wharf in San Fernando is responsible for transport routes from San Fernando to Point Fortin and back as well as from San Fernando to Penal and back. It is very important to note that the maxi taxis make intermittent stops before they reach their final destinations. Unlike the PTSC bus service that transports passengers to and from major hot spots without going off route.

                        Maxi Taxis provide a private service and is ran all over Trinidad and Tobago. These buses are easily identified by their stripes as it represents various route destinations. Not to mention this service caters to middle income and low income citizens who do not have the luxury of owning a vehicle or perhaps simply enjoy utilizing the service regardless.

Maxi taxis or mini buses and vans are privately owned and are an easy and affordable way to explore the islands. There are two sizes of Maxi taxis seating 12 or 24 persons. The coloured bands on the sides identify maxi taxis' fixed route.

• Yellow Band or Route 1 Maxi Taxis cover the western end of the island including Chaguaramas, Petit Valley and Diego Martin. The hub for this service is based in a fenced compound at the corner of St Vincent Street and South Quay, Port of Spain. Fares range from TT$3 to TT$10
• Red Band or Route 2 Maxi Taxis travel the eastern route from Port of Spain to as far east as Sangre Grande. The hub is based at City Gate, South Quay, Port of Spain and fares range from TT$3 to TT$8
• Green Band Maxi Taxis ply the Port of Spain to Chaguanas route and some cover other areas in Central Trinidad. Based at City Gate, this service costs TT$5.
• Black Band Maxi Taxis cover the southern parts of the island and from Chaguanas travel to Princes Town.
• Brown Band Maxi Taxis operate between San Fernando and communities on the southwest of the island.
• Blue Band Maxi Taxis cover the island of Tobago.
• Maxi taxis follow set routes, but no timetable, and after 9pm this form of transport is unreliable.

                                                                           

Any frequent traveler of the maxi taxi service in San Fernando can tell you that the Wharf is a place with a culture of its own. Vendors look out for each other in sales and maxi taxi conductors assist each other in filling up maxis. Some even go further to tell you, " Doh worry miss de maxi comin' just now, he reach La Romaine." Having experienced such a service I can attest to the fact that no travel day to and from San Fernando is ever a dull one. Be sure to know however, that with these maxi taxi drivers you are sure to reach your destination early with the few additions of a racing heart, blown out hair or ruffled clothing. Apart from this, one of the reasons for the successes of maxi taxi transportation is mainly because there is no other competitive alternative.

Feel free to comment and share your humorous or interesting stories whilst travelling to and from San Fernando via the maxi taxi.

Links of importance:-

http://gotrinidadandtobago.com/travel-information/getting-around/

http://www.tntisland.com/taxi.html

http://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=168

Until next week,

Shaniece