PHILIPSBURG – On April 7, a joint meeting was held between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, headed by Minister Silveria Jacobs and the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (TEATT) headed by Minister Ingrid Arrindell, with the intention to work collaboratively to come up with a short and long-term solution concerning the School Bussing Transportation Service.
Both Ministers gave the green light for a joint School Bus Committee, which includes prominent members of both Ministries, since both Ministries are working on a solution to come to a more efficient, safer and cost-effective School Bussing Transportation Service for a number of years.
The Joint Committee had its first meeting on April 12. The Committee is working diligently to come up with a short and long-term solutions and will report to their respective Ministers within a short time frame. The issue here is to find solutions, which are fair and encompass the current operators and government in the short-term, as well as provide solutions for the long-term, which government feels will be beneficial to all parties involved.
The committee has another meeting scheduled for early next week after which they will complete a report and plan of action to the respective Ministers. Once the plan is approved by the Ministers, an information meeting will be scheduled with the current operators.
“Let us continue to work together and work and push St. Maarten forward,” said the Education Ministry in a statement.
