The issuing of taxi and bus licences, already on hold since last year, is under enhanced scrutiny following two separate reports (see last Thursday’s newspaper) by the Integrity Chamber and Foundation Government Accountants Bureau SOAB. They indicated significant legal and administrative shortcomings in the granting of such, prompting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten to warn that permits not in compliance with existing regulations and confirmation requirements will be revoked.
Sweeping reforms in the public transport licensing system were announced. However some now suggest this might be a good time to consider overhauling the entire sector.
As reported elsewhere in this edition, Curaçao is doing something similar. The updated approach envisions larger buses of government-owned company ABC serving the island’s main roads while smaller privately-operated minivans cover routes within neighbourhoods, creating a network where the two complement each other.
The latter would lose current business between the districts but no longer face in-effect partially subsidised competition from ABC on their new routes. How it all works out remains to be seen, of course.
This is not a real option for St. Maarten because no central bus company exists here, only nearly 350 individual permit-holders. Any plans to change that are likely to negatively impact them and their families as well as drivers some employ.
That does not mean no room for improvement exists. For one thing, various populated areas presently have either no or insufficient service.
Nevertheless, this is not just about the community’s mobility, but also a matter of people’s livelihoods.
