Tips for using the Water Taxi service

The new coastal water taxi service in Trinidad has not come without controversy: a late launch, breakdowns, protests from fishermen and terrestrial taxi drivers... Despite large pullouts and advertisements in the local newspapers, the service has left many scratching their heads and trying to figure out when, if and how to use it.

Blogger Keith in Trinidad has put together his own list of tips for using the service that our readers might well find useful. We've posted some excerpts here:

• The ferry service only runs on weekdays and at scheduled times. Departure is always on time.
  
• The service costs TT$15 one-way, and you can purchase tickets at either jetty for any scheduled sailing in the current week
• For TT$3 more, you can purchase a PTSC bus transfer service in either an easterly or westerly direction from the port through Port of Spain as an attachment to your ticket
  
• Tickets are sold for a specific sailing in one direction, and are both non-refundable and non-transferable
  
• You can park for free in secure facilities at the Cruise Ship Complex and at the San Fernando jetty while you travel on the ferry
• The sailing schedule is set weekly, is published in the daily papers, and is displayed on whiteboards near the ticket booths at both ports. As far as I know, there is no number to call to get the schedule, nor is there a website where you can check the schedule
  
• If a cruise ship is scheduled to be in the Cruise Ship Complex on a particular day, this is catered for in the week's sailing schedule and will be reflected by fewer sailings on the day or days that the cruise ship is in port. From what I gather and understand, the water-taxi service is running from temporary quarters in both San Fernando and Port of Spain, although the San Fernando jetty might better be described as semi-permanent. The boats are renting time at a berth at the Cruise Ship Complex in Port of Spain until their permanent jetty is constructed closer to the Breakfast Shed at the end of Independence Square. Make sure to review the schedule for that week on the Monday.
• Sailing may also be impacted unscheduled issues. If one or more of the four boats break down for whatever reason, then the week's schedule will of course be impacted. Incidents here seem to have disappeared with increased vigilance on the part of the ferry crews and greater attention to maintenance.
• There is security on each boat in the form of an Amalgamated Security Company officer. All passengers are scanned and their bags checked before boarding. Access to both jetties in Port of Spain and San Fernando is security-restricted.
  
• From what I've heard, the service started with about 15 of the current San Fernando-based regulars on its first day or two. Now, boats are running with just a handful of seats unoccupied. There may come a time where you won't be able to buy a ticket for a day's sailing on the same day.
• Yes, the trip really does take about an hour from cast off to docking