Why Did The TT Government Allow UBER In Trinidad?

The Biggest Promo For UBER's In Trinidad and Tobago

"Can you show me how to get to the Ministry of National Security?" It was 9 :21 AM on Abrecombry Street, the sun was beating down hard on my bald pate.

In the heart of the city built up with asphalt and concrete pulled all the heat like a magnet from the atmosphere.  The guard looked at me up and down and said nothing.

I asked again, this time changing my tone and words slightly, I said "Sir, could you tell me how to get to the Ministry of National Security".  He looked at me and said with a straight face.

"Dat how ah big man like you would ask for directions?  You did not even say good morning"

He was right, I did not say good morning.  So I said "Good Morning, can you direct me to the Min of National Security?

That particular mentality in Trinidad is peculiar to the culture, maybe it is old school when mamas made sure that each child was greeted and greeted everyone in the morning with a "Good Morning".

The point is that Trinidad has an "Island Culture" we like to do things our way,

That is why when I saw the following article on  social media I was totally surprised.  It read... "Uber Driver Found Dead"

Here is the TV report

Now here is the thing,  A few months ago there was some protest from Taxi Drivers at the Airport complaining about losing business to Uber drivers.  Uber is at Piarco Airport, you can get an estimate of what it will cost from various points where Uber operates Here on Uber Estimator..

Why So Surprised.

Murders are reported everyday but when you add murder to UBER you get a lot of free exposure. 

The last time I heard about Uber coming to Trinidad it sounded like a great idea.  

People will be safer because even if it was still PH drivers, they would leave a record of who they picked up where.  As it is now private car drivers pick up anyone anywhere it is the only option for public transport in many cases.  Changing this, would help reduce the crime rate in T&T.

Push back came immediately from organizations like the Taxi Drivers Association, their livelihood was being threatened, they protested and objected.  They would not allow private vehicles to be used for public transportation. .  

The Insurance Association published full page ads in the dailies warning the public that they would be, get this, uninsured if they used Uber services if they used their vehicles for public transportation..

Today, Uber is in Trinidad and the biggest news is that a driver has been killed.  It is sadistic thinking but this murder gave Uber all the exposure it needs in Trinidad because before this it was....  

A BIG SECRET

Uber is in Trinidad without ads on the radio, television or newspapers.  OK, I might not be the best judge because I drive but I feel that I am in touch enough to know when a large organization like Uber enters the T&T market. 

The death of this young man is the only real exposure Uber has had in Trinidad.  Because of that sad event I googled "Uber in Trinidad and Tobago". 

I found out that they were indeed here and ....

The Insurance Association did not capitulate, just one did.  

Uber wrote a police with one company to cover their drivers from the time they pick up a passenger to the time they drop them off. See All Rides Are Insured

They also established a local website blog that is culturally appropriate.  See it here

The big question is why have they been so low keyed in Trinidad?

Maybe they are advertising in specific regions of Trinidad and that would explain why it is not advertised in the mass media. To work, Uber needs drivers and passengers who are aware of the services.

The reality is that Uber is a band aid that will not stop the way people are bleeding from crimes in Trinidad.  The current government, any government, need to address the sad public transportation system in Trinidad and Tobago. 

The PNM government had as one of it's election promises to develop a rapid rail system from Port of spain to Sangre Grande. OK, they find out the money not available to do that but do something, it is still a problem and letting Uber operate in T&T will not solve the problem. 

Stop The Bleeding.