Sea between our Islands

Information as to what was earned by the MV Sonia since it became a needed part of the operating of the sea bridge between Port-of-Spain and Scarborough would have pointed out the financial losses incurred and would have given the country a good idea of the subsidy that is required for maintaining the essential service.

Saith was replying to a question from the Opposition and while the Government is only required by Parliamentary convention to reply to specific questions, nevertheless had it offered the earning position along with the cost of the lease, this would have given a clearer picture. Does it mean that the Opposition UNC now has to pose additional questions on the issue particularly as the effect it would have sought through the original question has not been achieved?

It is unlikely that Government would disclose the earnings position on its own. The present $25 one-way fare is small compared with the cost of the service. The fare bears no relation to the US$24,000 a day cost of the lease. Government needs to subsidise the lease in the same way that it subsidises the cost of the air bridge between Trinidad and Tobago. We accept that based on the lease and other operating costs the MV Sonia’s fare, like that of any of the other vessels on the run, can not be viewed as high. Nevertheless, with the existing fare of TT$25 (approximately US$4) Government, or rather the Port Authority which operates the service, will need to convey somewhat in excess of 6,000 persons a day on the Sonia merely to cover the cost of the lease!

But this will be impossible given the number of passengers the Sonia can lift in any single sailing, the turnaround time and other factors. Because of this the Government will have to continue subsidising the MV Sonia, for which it has a one-year lease, or any other vessel it may wish to lease or acquire in the future.

The taxpayers have a right to know the full costs and losses incurred in the operating of the sea bridge even as we recognise that such a subsidy is essential if the people of Tobago and those of Trinidad are to feel confident that they really belong to the same country.