PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister TEATT Ingrid Arrindell announced that the French and Dutch authorities are currently working on regulating public transportation especially buses that are from the Dutch side that are using the trans-border to work on the French side. Minister Arrindell said that the French authorities clearly pointed out that the bus drivers from the Dutch side does not respect the rules and regulations while on the French side, one being they stop anywhere and not at the bus stops. They do not use the designated turn around area and also does not stick within their routes.
The Minister said when the agreement is completed they intend to give 30 bus drivers from the Dutch side the rights to work on the French side, these bus drivers must hold the Dutch nationality, and when approved they will be given an identification card and sticker to place on their buses.
Minister Arrindell said the two sides are currently working on regulating the Marigot route but shortly after that the French Quarter route will also be regulated. The French side will have 20 buses from the French side that can work through the trans- border to take passengers on the Dutch side.
Several civil servants, the Minister of TEATT, Territorial Councilor Guillaume Arnel Louis Fleming were among those that participated in the meeting along with the Captain of the Gendarmerie.
When the agreement is finalized, the bus association on both sides of the island will be contacted in order for them to inform their membership while they will be informed when the controls that will be conducted by the gendarmerie will commence.
Apart from that the Minister of TEATT is working on building a parking station for taxis at the old fire station in Philipsburg, while the current parking used by taxis will be used to build a parking terminal for buses.
