* Like 95% of the world, Trinbagonians drive on left . . . sort of. The streets are often narrow, and most people make a habit of driving near the center of the road; they are less likely to hit a pedestrian or a parked car that way. Don't get flustered when you see a driver on your side of the road, he'll usually move over as he nears you. Trinis tend to walk in the road as if daring drivers to hit them, so if you drive, be careful of pedestrians.
* A tourist not used to Trini driving will probably think he's
going to die during his first cab ride in Trinidad. Actually Trinis
are excellent drivers, far better than those in the U.S. One reason
is that Trini drivers actually watch the road, to see pot holes
and to know when a car comes the opposite way so they can get
over to their side of the road. Drivers also tend to be more polite,
slowing down to let other cars pass parked cars.
* Maxi taxis are mini busses seating 9 to 25 people that run set
routes around Trinidad. Hail them on the corner of the nearest
major road (there are no bus stop signs) and get in without paying.
The driver will remember where you got on and collect the proper
fare when you get off. The fares are amazingly cheap although
Trinis tend to complain about them; commonly $2 to $5 TT (.33
to .83 cents US) for a five mile trip, depending on the route.
A sixty mile bus ride from Port of Spain to San Fernando runs
$12 TT ($2 US).
* Taxis don't take customers door to door, but run specified routes
like the maxi taxis; they will pick up passengers until the cab
is full. Downtown there are specific cab stands where you get
a cab that goes in your direction; if you hail a cab on the street,
most likely it's not going where you want to go, and it won't
go where you ask it to. (Ask people where you should go to catch
the right cab, the location of the cab stands change from time
to time).
* Maxi taxis running different routes are color coded, so the
color will tell you where it's going. All cabs and maxi taxis
have license plate numbers that begin with "H" for hire.
Most cabs are unmarked except for the license plate number. Don't
get into an unofficial cab (one whose license plate does not start
with "H"; "P" is for private cars, "T"
is for trucks).
* For a little extra fare, you can sometimes negotiate with a
cab driver to "take a drop inside" or leave the main
roads to drop you inside a neighborhood at your door, if you are
in the cab alone.
* Cars in the Caribbean were usually made in Japan or Europe to
a different standard than U.S. cars. If you slam a car door with
the same force needed to close a car door in the U.S., the taxi
driver will let you know about yourself ("Oh Gorm! You tryin
to buss meh door or what? Dis Yankee tooris rall cunumunu, oui?")
Close car doors very gently to avoid embarrassment.
* Buses for other cities and villages leave Port of Spain from
Citygate Terminal near South Key, departure gates are marked as
to the destination. Bus fares are very reasonable. If you don't
enjoy a rap-concert-style gate rush and shoving match, stand back
and let the Trinis board first, then get on if there is still
a seat left.
* Rental cars are plentiful and easily reserved at local airports. Rates run at $300 -$500 US / week and go up around Carnival time. Reserve early at Econo Car any of the others (Google search Trini rental cars). A valid US licence and a credit card are required.
© 2004 Afrique Publications
E-mail: webmail@afriqueonline.com . . . Web: http://www.afriqueonline.com