Philipsburg/Marigot:--- Minister of Public Transportation Franklin Meyers is scheduled to meet with the President of the Collectivity of St. Martin on Friday where they would further discuss the introduction of the parking taxes that are to be levied on taxi and tour bus operators.In an invited comment on Wednesday at the COM press briefing Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams confirmed that a meeting has been scheduled for Friday. Prime Minister Wescot Williams also confirmed that taxi drivers from both sides of the island are already paying fees to operate at the AC Wathey Cruise Facility and the Princess Juliana International Airport. Wescot Williams said the official notification from the French side was received some days ago and it was discussed in the Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged that several attempts have been made to restructure the meetings between governments of the two sides. Wescot Williams also said that the next meeting is scheduled for June 30th.
Asked if government has been taking stock with the Dutch Taxi Association to see what is being done with the fees they are collecting on a monthly basis from taxi drivers to operate at the AC Wathey pier. Wescot Williams said she does not know if accountability was addressed in the Memorandum of Understanding between the DSTA and Government. However, she said she is quite sure the Minister of Transportation will be addressing these issues when he meets with the French side officials on Friday.
