~Review on the issuance of licenses issued in 2023 underway~
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of TEATT, Grisha Heyliger Marten, has suspended the issuance of bus and taxi licenses.
The Minister confirmed on Wednesday that even though a moratorium on the issuance of bus and taxi licenses existed, the former government lifted it and replaced it with a capping system.
Heyliger Marten said the current cap for taxi licenses is 550, and there are 521 active taxi licenses, while the cap for bus licenses is 350, and there are 264 active bus licenses.
The Minister explained that before September 2023, those numbers stood at 385 for taxis and 177 for buses.
Heyliger Marten said that this jump in numbers can be attributed to the rapidly increasing number of licenses given out by the previous administration. “It was reported that there were possible discrepancies in the matter in which these licenses were issued. To understand what has taken place, the issuance process is under review by the Department of Legal Affairs.” In the interim, the Ministry has decided, based on sound and responsible governance, to place the issuance of such licenses on hold.
Heyliger Marten gave two reasons for the decision to hold off on the issuance of these transportation licenses. She said currently, it is the slow season of the year, and this also gives the Ministry enough time to implement proper policies for the issuance of bus and taxi licenses.
The Minister explained that the issuance of these permits needs to be streamlined because, historically, licenses have been used as a political reward during elections. This process, however, should be fair and transparent.
She said her goal is to establish a straightforward yet comprehensive policy with clear, step-by-step instructions for issuing permits. This policy will serve as a consistent guideline for both the present and the future.
