Barrackpore taximen continue protest

PROTESTING Barrackpore taxi drivers stepped up demands for improved road conditions by mounting a peaceful placard demonstration in the heart of Princes Town yesterday — one day after deciding to withhold their services to the travelling public. And despite pleas from stranded commuters, who endured another day without taxi service, the drivers, who occupied the entire Barrackpore/St Croix taxi stand along High Street in Princes Town vowed to refuse to work until “concrete and proper repairs” were done to the road. Under a scorching midday sun, Barrackpore Taxi drivers Association’s public relations officer Chandthe Rampersad said members were still awaiting word from Ministry of Works and Transport officials since protests began Wednesday morning.

“We are not going back out to work until Works Minister Franklin Khan gives us concrete assurances that this road is going to be fixed,” a defiant Rampersad said. He also said statements from ministry officials reported on the radio on Wednesday, that work had already been done on the main road, were “lies.” Although Rampersad said drivers had the support of the majority of the Barrackpore community, during yesterday’s placard protest, a number of commuters expressed disgust with the action, saying schoolchildren and pensioners were being adversely affected.