School maxi drivers not happy with reduced fees during pandemic

Maxi drivers who transport children to and from school, are up in arms over the fees currently being paid for their services during the pandemic.

President of the School Maxi Taxi Association, Rodney Ramlogan, said “The money that the Government is offering us to do these trips, it is not feasible.”

Ramlogan said the physical reopening of schools for Forms 4, 5 and 6 students, together with Covid19 regulations, has resulted in maxi taxi operators carrying less than their usual numbers of students.

He said maxis are also limited to just one school trip, with a small maxi being able to transport 6 children, while a large maxi can only carry 14. Small maxis are being paid fees of $82 per day, while the large earn between $150 and $250 per day for one trip.

Ramlogan said they understand the problem, but added “We want to live too. We want to survive.”

The association is now calling for a meeting with the Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly to discuss the transportation fees.