Attack lawlessness

The authorities now find themselves in a rather uncomfortable position in dealing with the internationally- rooted Uber company while having PH taxis parading all over the place __ useful as they may be, but with dangers too. These forms of lawlessness, like so many aspects crime and justice, did not happen overnight.

Works and Transport Minister, Mr Rohan Sinanan, seems on the right track when he said last Tuesday: “Based on the advice given to the ministry by its legal department, the service being offered by the Uber company is not in keeping with the legislative framework of TT to operate such a service.” Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi cautiously commented: “On the one hand there is at Uber quite a very interesting, progressive step of the registration exercise, of the vetting of the security, which is a step beyond Trinidad and Tobago’s PH driving system.” He continued: “But on the other hand, there is a collision with the existing laws in this country where cars for hire have to be registered for hire.” Services like Uber will require a legislative amendment, he added. Then there is the matter of insurance for the protection of passengers. No doubt, and apart from those directly concerned one way or another with this Uber challenge, the public will ask if you require Uber service (i.e.service via cell phone, etc,) to be so “legalized,” what about the PH taxis situation __ a long standing issue?

Take citizen, Shahad Q Ali, for example when, commending Uber for security and comfort, stated: “The Ministry of Works and Transport should rid themselves of the bias by targeting Uber as the only service in TT that uses PH drivers.” Well, it is not so much “bias” as it is a fresh notice by both Mr Sinanan and Mr Al-Rawi of the need to revise the outdated Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, thus possibly stopping PH taxis as a significant part of our lawless culture.

When he was Works Minister, Mr Jack Warner did make a short-lived attempt to “regularise’” PH taxis.Now, I must admit, I have used Uber services abroad. It was safe, punctual and quite accountable.What this Uber now provokes is for a complete overview of the relationship between transport and crime.For example, given the laws as quoted by both Sinanan and Al-Rawi, how come we now see private cars, those with “P” license plates boldly being used as rental cars?

With this and the PH case, as Mr Sinanan pointed out, what are the implications for passenger insurance? The Works Ministry stated: “When you travel with an authorised taxi, you are ensuring the relevant checks and balances have taken place. The use of a private vehicle for hire is contrary to its registration.”

All this therefore presents a public interest opportunity to have a government agency now responsible for making licence plates __ putting a stop to the prolific spread of “one-hour” licence plate shops all over the country. How can the police properly investigate a robbery, a rape or murder when the getaway vehicle has a wrong or stolen licence plate? Now, a lot of our lawlessness has already broken through the gates __ some even ”regularised.” Uber communications official, Ms Julie Robinson-Centella, argues that Uber is not a taxi company but an online service provider, and that passenger insurance is covered by Guardian General. Look, at the end of all this, it would be helpful to all if the PH and related lawless matters are handled now, while working with Uber to fall within the country’s laws as both Mr Sinanan and Mr Al-Rawi suggested.

Now is a good time to begin a fullscale attack on lawlessness of all kinds, including white collar crime, garbage and pollution and state boards’ corruption.