PHILIPSBURG: --- A deep-seated crisis of mismanagement, corruption, and regulatory negligence has left St. Maarten's public transportation sector in shambles. Recent findings have exposed a system where hundreds of bus and taxi licenses were issued without proper oversight, leading to an oversaturated market and rampant illegal activity. In response, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger Marten, has announced a comprehensive five-phase plan to overhaul the sector, enforce accountability, and restore public trust.
The scale of the problem is staggering. An investigation revealed that of 300 recorded bus licenses, only 29 buses were actively registered with paid road taxes in 2025. This suggests that over 100 buses may be operating illegally or have merely "paper" permits. The situation in the taxi sector is just as dire. With 600 registered taxis, St. Maarten has a fleet that vastly exceeds the needs of its population, especially when compared to neighboring islands. For instance, Curaçao, with a much larger population and similar tourism numbers, operates with just 200 taxis and plans a modest increase to 250. St. Martin's 600 registered taxis, plus an estimated 150 on the French side, create a saturated environment where legitimate drivers struggle to make a living.
During a recent Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Heyliger Marten confirmed these findings, which align with earlier reports from the SOAB and the Integrity Chamber. "From the time I was in Parliament to now, I still believe... we have the most taxis in St. Maarten," she stated, highlighting the severe market saturation.
The investigation uncovered a decade of systemic failures. Licenses issued in 2023 were processed in under two months, often lacking official stamps or consistent registration numbers, in stark contrast to the highly regulated, year-long process of 2013. This rapid, unchecked issuance created loopholes for exploitation, including duplicate permits, licenses held by companies instead of individuals, and even permits issued to minors.
A core principle of the licensing policy was to provide a source of income for individuals without other employment. However, the system has been abused by those holding multiple jobs or numerous permits, defeating its original purpose. Minister Heyliger Marten addressed this directly, stating, "You have to deal with whatever the law says. And if the law says you can't have more than one source of income, then you have to choose one." She announced that all permit holders will be allowed to clarify their status. Those who do not comply or are found to violate the law will have their licenses revoked.
To tackle these deep-rooted issues, the Ministry has initiated a five-phase reform plan:
- Data Verification and Compliance: This initial phase, already completed, involved a thorough cleanup of records to identify dormant, noncompliant, and illegal permits.
- Permit Revocation and Driver Certification: Currently underway, this phase focuses on revoking noncompliant licenses. It also introduces mandatory certification for all drivers, covering safety, local knowledge, and medical fitness. The ministry will publish lists of permit numbers in local newspapers, summoning holders to verify their status.
- Legislative Framework: The government will draft amendments to the Passenger Transport Ordinance. A key element of this phase will be the pilot of a digital dispatch system to provide better oversight of all active vehicles and drivers.
- Finalization and Decree: The proposed legislative changes will be submitted to Parliament to create a consolidated and modernized transport policy.
- Establishment of a Transportation Authority: The final step is to create an independent Transportation Authority to regulate and oversee the entire public transport sector, removing it from direct government administration to ensure impartiality and long-term stability.
The timeline for these ambitious reforms spans the next two years. The cleanup and certification process is slated for 2025, followed by the drafting of new laws and the digital dispatch pilot in 2026. The goal is to have the new laws passed and the Transportation Authority fully operational by 2027.
The road ahead is challenging. Years of neglect and exploitation have eroded confidence in the system. However, the government's decisive action signals a commitment to transparency and fairness. As Minister Heyliger Marten stated, "Accountability is necessary if we are to rebuild trust." For the hundreds of law-abiding taxi and bus drivers struggling in a saturated market, and for the public that relies on this essential service, these reforms cannot come soon enough. The question now is whether the government can successfully dismantle a system plagued by corruption and build a new one that serves the people of St. Maarten effectively and equitably.
