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From election celebration to political buyer’s remorse: Voters demanded change, but rising taxes, fines and fees are testing expectations of relief. 01 | THE REJECTION: PNM MUST GO On March 28, 2025, Rehanna Bhimnauth declared: “Great WAS The pnm!!!!!” A month later, following the UNC’s election victory, she celebrated: “Pnm When Allyuh Leave we started to see we way.” The PNM had become the problem. The UNC represented change, and change carried the promise of something better. But removing the problem does not guarantee finding the solution. 02 | THE REALITY: THE PRICE OF CHANGE Since taking office, the UNC administration has introduced numerous increases in government taxes, fees and penalties. Traffic fines: Many doubled, with driving without insurance jumping from $1,000 to $10,000. Driving permits, licences and tests: Various fees increased. Priority Bus Route permits: $300 to $600 quarterly. Birth and death registration: Increased charges. Customs declarations: $40 to $80. Container examination: Charges doubled in specified categories. Environmental tyre fees: $20 to $40. Wildlife import fees: $100 to $200. Alcohol and cigarettes: Specified excise duties doubled. National Insurance: From 13.2% to 16.2% in January 2026, with a further increase to 19.2% scheduled for January 2027. Commercial electricity: New five-cent-per-kWh surcharge. Landlords: $2,500 registration fee and rental-income surcharge. Businesses: Additional financial-sector and other taxation. Government Plaza Parkade: Monthly parking increased by $50. Piarco Airport parking: Hourly $10 to $15, daily $63 to $95, and monthly $750 to $1,125—approximately 50% increases. Higher airport parking charges were also announced for Tobago. The 2027 Budget additionally proposes a residential electricity surcharge on consumption exceeding 3,000 kWh per billing period. The Government has introduced offsetting relief measures, but its higher charges have also created additional costs for affected households and businesses. From traffic tickets to airport parking, the price of moving around Trinidad and Tobago is rising. 03 | THE REGRET: THE BILL COMES DUE Now Rehanna asks: “Anybody else TandTEC bills came double the usual amount???” The woman who celebrated political change is now questioning the cost of everyday living. Her electricity complaint comes amid UNC fiscal policies that have directly increased numerous charges, with further electricity costs proposed for high-consumption households. The precise cause of her individual bill increase remains unverified. This is the political dilemma known as buyer’s remorse: when the excitement of replacing a government collides with disappointment over the results. The greatest political regret is not necessarily discovering that you removed the wrong government. It is discovering that removing the government did not remove the problem. The PNM lost power. The UNC inherited responsibility. Voters wanted a change in government. What matters now is whether that change delivers relief or grief.
From election celebration to political buyer’s remorse: Voters demanded change, but rising taxes, fines and fees are testing expectations of relief.
01 | THE REJECTION: PNM MUST GO
On March 28, 2025, Rehanna Bhimnauth declared: “Great WAS The pnm!!!!!”
A month later, following the UNC’s election victory, she celebrated: “Pnm When Allyuh Leave we started to see we way.”
The PNM had become the problem. The UNC represented change, and change carried the promise of something better.
But removing the problem does not guarantee finding the solution.
02 | THE REALITY: THE PRICE OF CHANGE
Since taking office, the UNC administration has introduced numerous increases in government taxes, fees and penalties. Traffic fines: Many doubled, with driving without insurance jumping from $1,000 to $10,000. Driving permits, licences and tests: Various fees increased. Priority Bus Route permits: $300 to $600 quarterly. Birth and death registration: Increased charges. Customs declarations: $40 to $80. Container examination: Charges doubled in specified categories. Environmental tyre fees: $20 to $40. Wildlife import fees: $100 to $200. Alcohol and cigarettes: Specified excise duties doubled. National Insurance: From 13.2% to 16.2% in January 2026, with a further increase to 19.2% scheduled for January 2027. Commercial electricity: New five-cent-per-kWh surcharge. Landlords: $2,500 registration fee and rental-income surcharge. Businesses: Additional financial-sector and other taxation. Government Plaza Parkade: Monthly parking increased by $50. Piarco Airport parking: Hourly $10 to $15, daily $63 to $95, and monthly $750 to $1,125—approximately 50% increases.
Higher airport parking charges were also announced for Tobago.
The 2027 Budget additionally proposes a residential electricity surcharge on consumption exceeding 3,000 kWh per billing period.
The Government has introduced offsetting relief measures, but its higher charges have also created additional costs for affected households and businesses.
From traffic tickets to airport parking, the price of moving around Trinidad and Tobago is rising.
03 | THE REGRET: THE BILL COMES DUE
Now Rehanna asks: “Anybody else TandTEC bills came double the usual amount???”
The woman who celebrated political change is now questioning the cost of everyday living.
Her electricity complaint comes amid UNC fiscal policies that have directly increased numerous charges, with further electricity costs proposed for high-consumption households. The precise cause of her individual bill increase remains unverified.
This is the political dilemma known as buyer’s remorse: when the excitement of replacing a government collides with disappointment over the results.
The greatest political regret is not necessarily discovering that you removed the wrong government. It is discovering that removing the government did not remove the problem.
The PNM lost power. The UNC inherited responsibility.
Voters wanted a change in government. What matters now is whether that change delivers relief or grief.
News Desk is the editorial publishing account for Tringlobe Media News, covering breaking news, public affairs, entertainment, community developments and regional stories across Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally.
