Beware of green band maxi touts

THE EDITOR: Please permit me a space in your newspaper to express my grave concern regarding maxi touts. I know that everyone wants to make money in some way, but isn’t this illegal. Now don’t get me wrong, touts are useful, very useful at times, but in certain places. I just love the ones at the hospital car park (SFGH) in San Fernando. They help each and every passenger, in a decent and might I add, a professional manner. We all look forward, during the week to meet them to assist us.

The touts at the green band maxi area (Marabella, Couva etc) however are irritating, rude, disrespectful and let’s just say that I can take all day talking about them. Let me give you a couple examples. Last month, I had to go to Couva and for the first time, boarded a maxi (I usually take a taxi but there were none). First to begin, the touts were cursing at each other and fighting to win passengers to go to a particular maxi. When the maxi almost reached Marabella (with the speed they were going it didn’t take long at all), the driver got into confrontation with another maxi driver who he almost crashed into. The tout harassed me all the way. I would never take another green band maxi in my life. Last week, I was going to TSTT so I had to pass right by all the green band maxis waiting to be filled.

All the touts saw me and began harassing me. When I ignored them a few of them got angry so they began cursing me. I still said nothing and went on my way very bravely. I cried all night, it was very embarrassing. They gave all touts and African males a bad name. Thank God the touts at the car park are different. San Fernando, please beware of the green band maxi touts, beware!!!

STACEY SINGH
Siparia