Maxi taxis are mini buses. The vehicles, registered to transport either 12 or 25 passengers, were introduced by the government in the late 1970's as a means of public transportation. The story goes that the then Prime Minister thought Trinidadians, with our superior nature, would be disdainful of travelling in mini buses. However, maxi taxis would perhaps assuage our collective egos.

Apparently the ploy worked, as there are now thousands of maxis operating in Trinidad. They operate along set routes, the major ones being from Arima in the east, and from the western population centres of Diego Martin and environs into Port of Spain. Two stripes of colour painted along the outside of the vehicle indicate a maxi's route, hence a “red band” will take you to Arima, while you'll only see “blue bands” in Tobago.

Due to increasing traffic congestion, and probably also due to their reputations for less than savoury driving, maxis are prohibited from using certain major roads that pass through the city centre.