Published: Wed, 2011-03-23 22:29
CASANDRA THOMPSON–FORBES

One of the four water taxis used to service the San Fernando/Port-of-Spain route will be used to shuttle passengers from Trinidad to Tobago while the T&T Express is on drydock. The announcement was made yesterday by Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner as he spoke during the commissioning ceremony of the Instrument Landing System at the Crown Point International Airport.

The announcement came on the heels of a challenge from Dr Delmon Baker, Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and MP for Tobago West, to provide additional seats on the air and sea bridge to ensure hotel rooms are filled during the upcoming Easter season. Warner acceded to the challenge, stating the green light had been given to him by the National Entrepreneurship Development Company (Nedco) to begin the water taxi service in order to make sailings between Trinidad and Tobago feasible for citizens. Warner said, too, that discussions also would be held with Caribbean Airlines for additional flights on the air bridge. He added: “I am aware of Dr Baker’s concerns that one of the ferries is going on dry dock. “We have decided and got the green light from Nedco for the water taxi to make two sailings to Tobago beginning from April 11 that would be 405 seats per sailing.

“We have also decided to monitor the demand for tickets and we would approach Caribbean Airlines to increase the number of flights to Tobago, all in a bid to satisfy the demand which we have now and to relieve you of your anxieties.” When questioned whether there were any additional plans by his ministry for the upcoming Tobago Jazz Festival, Warner said there were no additional plans by his ministry but would be willing to assist if requests were made. The T&T Express was in the process of being put on dry-dock yesterday. A release from the Port Authority stated preliminary inspection would begin on Saturday, while the full extent of the work needed would be known by March 30. The release added the T&T Express should recommence service on April 20 unless major repairs were to be carried out.

Source: http://www2.guardian.co.tt/news/2011/03/23/water-taxi-replace-express-ferry-run