PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger Marten announced at the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday that earlier this year, the Ministry of TEATT launched the Public Transportation Confirmation Process 2026, with a clear deadline of February 27th, 2026, for all operators to complete the process.
The Minister said that this is more than an administrative requirement; it is a critical step for the government to verify that all operators are active, compliant, and authorized to safely transport residents and visitors. This process enhances oversight, safeguards passengers, and promotes fairness for those operators who adhere to regulations.
Buses: Addressing Low Participation and Service Standards
Of the 138 registered buses, only 36 have completed the confirmation process so far. This low participation rate is a concern because it directly affects the reliability and safety of the public transportation network. The Ministry recognizes that some operators may face challenges in organizing documentation or meeting updated compliance requirements, but stresses that these standards are necessary to clean up the sector and remove inactive or non-compliant operators from the roads.
A key part of the "cleaning up" process involves filtering out buses that are not currently serving the public, are in disrepair, or have not met safety or licensing standards. By confirming only buses that meet all requirements, the Ministry aims to ensure a safer, more efficient, and better-maintained fleet. This will directly benefit passengers by reducing risks and raising the overall standard of public transportation.
Taxis: Overcoming Barriers for Full Compliance
Similarly, among the 454 taxi operators, only 125 have submitted the necessary information. This indicates that a significant number of taxi operators still need to take urgent action. Some of the challenges faced include outdated paperwork, lapsed permits, or uncertainty about new procedural steps. The Ministry is actively engaging with taxi associations and individual operators to provide guidance, answer questions, and ensure that every legitimate taxi service can become compliant without unnecessary obstacles.
The "cleaning up" in the taxi sector focuses on identifying and removing dormant or unauthorized operators, ensuring that only licensed, professional taxis serve the public. The introduction of the Public Transportation Confirmation Sticker will make it easy for residents and visitors to identify taxis that meet all requirements, providing reassurance of their legitimacy and adherence to safety standards.
Commitment to Higher Standards
These numbers clearly highlight the urgent need for more operators—especially among buses and taxis—to step forward and complete the process. The Ministry is committed to transparent enforcement and to strengthening the public transportation sector's structure and accountability. Through these improvements and the introduction of the digitally linked SXM Public Transportation Confirmation Sticker 2026, the government is taking decisive steps to clean up the sector, improve service quality, and protect the interests of compliant operators and the riding public.
When you see the confirmation sticker, you can trust that the operator is fully authorized and recognized by the government—this ongoing process is about elevating standards and moving public transportation forward for everyone.
