Commuting in Buses and Maxis in Trinidad and Tobago

Both buses and maxis play an important role in the transport system. That is, to transport citizens from one area to another. In Trinidad, two main transport services that are involved are the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) which conducts the bus service and the maxi taxi associations. The Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) was established in 1965 and was the main bus service in the country. Presently the main routes of the service includes from Port of Spain to Arima on the old train line now converted to the Priority Bus Route and on the southern route along the Uriah Butler and Solomon Hochoy Highways to San Fernando and a few route arteries to towns inside and outside of the major cities. The routes consist of the main station at City Gate, Port of Spain, transfer stations at the major towns of Curepe, Tunapuna, Arima, Chaguanas, Couva and San Fernando. They also have smaller hubs along the route between stations. The bus fleet includes the International, Ciao, Articulated and the super deluxe to name a few with exceptional forms of comfort and one of its benefits is that it can occupy a large number of commuters. However one of the downturns of the bus service is that it only drops and receives passengers at the designated bus stops. Another disadvantage is that the buses are very costly to maintain and the buses are at times, running behind schedule. I had the experience when waiting for the bus at UWI. It would tend to run late for hours that by the time it arrives or a replacement is sent, the bus stop would be overcrowded ad when a bus comes, some persons would not be able to get a seat as it will get full. What would make it even worse is if the 29 seater arrives instead of the usual super deluxe.

PTSC articulated bus at the Chaguanas Bus Station. Most likely this bus would be going to City Gate, Port of Spain.

Information of the PTSC can be found here:http://www.ptsc.co.tt/

The maxis taxi was introduced in 1981 as a privately owned minibus where citizen can transport passengers. They have their own colour code for each route in the country. For example, the main taxi routes include the Red Band route from Port of Spain to Sangre Grande, the Green Band from Port of Spain to San Fernando via the Chaguanas and Couva routes. There is also the Brown Band running to the south of San Fernando and the Blue Band in Tobago to name a few. The fleet comprise of maxis varying of 12 and 25 seater versions. One of the benefits of the maxi taxi is that unlike the bus that drops commuters at the station or designated stop, the maxi and drop a passenger anywhere along the route. Also, because they are privately run, they can be accessed at any time. However, the maxis lacked comfort especially with the 12 seaters. From my experience, I had a very difficult time in the small maxis as the leg space was not adequate (factoring I have long limbs) that you have to sit at the back of the maxi or if is not accessible, you have to occupy both seats in order to be comfortable on the smaller maxis. What also made it uncomfortable on the smaller ones from experience is that they usually keep the windows down, not a good idea when it is also a hot day. The 25 seaters are an improvement as they is some leg space to be comfortable and cooler with their air conditioners.