THOUSANDS of commuters were left frustrated yesterday as they were either stranded or faced challenges getting to work and school on the first day of “rest and reflection” action by most of the country’s 5,000 maxi-taxi operators.Many also complained about waiting for extended periods at bus stops, and increased transportation costs from PH drivers as they scrambled to find alternative means of travel.
STRANDED: Commuters wait for a maxi along the bus route, Curepe, yesterday.—Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY
Commuters in Curepe, Arima and other parts other East-West corridor, as well as Chaguanas and San Fernando, were affected.Some workers told the Express they had to leave their homes much earlier than usual, while others arrived late for work after spending hours trying to secure transportation.Some never made it to work.
LONG LINES: Commuters wait for a maxi along the bus route, in Curepe yesterday.:—Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY
At several major transit hubs including Curepe Junction and Tunapuna near the market, commuters lined the side of the westbound lane of the Priority Bus Route (PBR) waiting for buses.A number of people sought short drops and lifts from anyone they knew with a vehicle.Several commuters expressed concern about the financial burden caused by the strike, noting that hiring taxis or using ride-sharing services was significantly more expensive than their normal maxi-taxi fares.The Express spoke to stranded commuters who had been waiting from as early as 5 a.m. for a maxi.Cassandra Armstrong was standing along the PBR in Tunapuna and said that she usually uses a maxi-taxi to get to her job in Macoya.Around 8 a.m. yesterday she said she was waiting on a co-worker to pick her up to get to her job.
