GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Saturday, May 30th officers from the Control Unit of the Inspection Department Ministry Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT), conducted a five hour special control on public transportation operators at various locations throughout the country.
Between the hours of 2.00PM and 7.00PM two groups of Control Unit officers executed controls in the vicinity of the A.C. Wathey Cruise Terminal in Pointe Blanche, in Philipsburg and in the Maho area.
Drivers were fined for obstructing traffic, parking in a bus stop or in a prohibited area.
Public buses were controlled and the major violations found were namely, driving without a permit and drivers improperly dressed.
Those drivers found to be engaging in public transportation services without a permit received a fine and had their vehicles towed as they were operating illegally. Two buses were towed and 14 buses were controlled.
The Control Unit will continue to execute irregular controls on public transportation operators outside of normal office hours to ensure that permit holders abide by the laws and to protect the general public from unsafe or illegal operators.
All public transportation operators must carry with them at all times valid vehicle insurance, inspection card and a valid driver’s license for the vehicle that they are operating.
In addition the driver must be in possession of a valid permit from the Minister TEATT or in the case of a help/assistant driver a valid help/assistant driver permit issued by the Minister TEATT.
According to article 3 of the Public Transportation Ordinance 21-02-2013 AB 2013 GT no. 118, it is prohibited to engage in public transportation services without a transportation permit from the Minister TEATT.
This will be strictly enforced during our controls.
For any inquires, the Inspectorate can be reached by calling 542-4509/4511 or stop by Tamarindesteeg #16, (The Yellow Building) or via email:idez.inqueries@sintmaartengov.org
PHOTO CUTLINE: Control Unit Officers carrying out an inspection of a public transportation vehicle.
