Khan wants one fee for all on airbridge

WORKS and Transport Minister Franklyn Khan intends to lobby Cabinet to have all airlines plying the Trinidad-Tobago airbridge charging the same $200 fare. Speaking at a press briefing yesterday at his Ministry to announce plans for road safety, Khan told reporters that operating the airbridge efficiently was a challenge which required opening up the route to other airlines. He pointed out that Tobago Express, which was the lone airline charging $200 return, was trying hard to manage. He said Caribbean Star and Liat, which also operated on the airbridge, have not been aggressive because they were not being allowed to charge the lower airfare. Those airlines still charge $300 return.

Khan said it was not competitive for those airlines and he was contemplating taking a note to Cabinet to have the $200 airfare apply to all airlines on the airbridge. But he assured that he will be guided by the decision of Cabinet. Khan also disclosed that several applications have been made from other airlines to ply the route. Regarding the ferry service to Tobago, Khan said several vessels were shortlisted and have been evaluated by a committee. He said the matter was now before the Central Tenders Board and soon he would make an announcement on the new ferry.

Touching on plans for the Uriah Butler/Churchill Roosevelt Highway interchange, Khan said the project was still on. He said a Canadian firm which submitted designs in 1999 has been asked by the Ministry to fine-tune those designs and make it more cost effective. He said the project is expected to go out for tender in the fourth quarter of the year and will be constructed in 18 months. On the issue of flooding problems, Khan said he was satisfied with drainage works carried out by the Ministry, which was working in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government to alleviate annual floods as best as it can. Several rivers have already been dredged in anticipation of the rainy season.