~ License holders are urged to register their confirmation letters. ~
PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger Marten announced on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers press briefing that SOAB and the Integrity Chamber have submitted their draft reports on the investigation she initiated on the issuance of taxis and bus licenses in 2023.
Heyliger Marten plans to divulge further information on the reports at a later date; asked if she intends to submit the reports to the Prosecutors Office to weed out corruption, the Minister said that decision has not yet been taken; however, she said that she believes the Prosecutors’ Office already started their investigation on the matter.
Heyliger Marten said since the reinstatement of the Confirmation Letter Process on January 16, 2025, the Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) has made steady progress in digitizing administrative procedures, improving efficiency, and enhancing oversight of permits and public transportation operations.
However, to date, only 100 vehicles have been inspected by the Transport Control Unit:
• Public Buses: 15 out of approximately 300
• Taxis: 74 out of approximately 500
• G-Plates (unregulated transport): 6 out of approximately 100
• T-Plates (touring cars): 5 out of approximately 200
Challenges Identified:
• Language barriers between operators and controllers.
• Incomplete or outdated registration documents.
• Assistant drivers struggling to obtain authorization letters.
• Operators facing technological challenges with digital registration.
Important Reminders:
All operators must complete the Confirmation Letter Process by February 25, 2025, to ensure compliance before the February 28, 2025, road tax deadline.
All registered vehicles must have:
• A valid motor vehicle inspection.
• A valid insurance policy.
• Properly functioning lights and windshield wipers.
• A first aid kit and working fire extinguisher.
The government has received draft reports from the Integrity Chamber and SOAB regarding taxi and bus permit issuance. These findings will guide our sector restructuring, which she will announce in a press briefing.
There are now in the final 20-day countdown for compliance. A public awareness campaign will launch via:
• Official letters to bus and taxi associations.
• Digital notifications via WhatsApp and social media.
• Press releases and media outreach.
The Minister urges all operators to comply before February 25, 2025—to address illegal operators and ensure fairness in the public transportation sector.
For more information, don't hesitate to contact the Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs at 559-7685 via call or WhatsApp.
