As usual, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, but the intentions of the United Bus Drivers Association stated during a meeting with Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication
(TEATT) Minister Ingrid Arrindell (see Tuesday paper) are obviously good. The lack of service in certain areas is a glaring shortcoming of the current public transportation system.
People who don’t have a vehicle of their own are thus forced to depend on illicit so-called “gypsy” drivers and this promotes their continued existence also on other routes. After all, it’s hard to argue that they shouldn’t be allowed to operate if no legal alternative is available.
Of course, there are other areas devoid of bus service such as Oyster Pond and Pointe Blanche, but at least an attempt is being made to take the first step towards a more comprehensive coverage. Hopefully it won’t be the last.
Why specifically 7-seaters would be used on the “new” Sucker Garden-Middle Region route was not explained, but it may have to do with volume. Generally speaking, the goal is to fill the bus with paying customers as much as possible for obvious reasons.
A terminal in Philipsburg seems logical enough, but has been in discussion already for years. The two-week deadline to select a location is therefore appropriate, because this time it shouldn’t remain just talk.
Mandatory certification for all Dutch-side drivers in cooperation with University of St. Martin (USM) is a worthwhile initiative as well. The plan is to include proper dress code and knowledge of the island’s history, which is important also because an increasing number of especially repeat visitors use buses to get around too.
This newspaper has always spoken out against proposals for a centralised bus company, as such a move would severely affect the livelihood of current licence-holders operating as small independent businesses and their families. However, the latter does not change the fact that there is definitely room for improvement and the association’s board clearly understands this.
