GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – In conjunction with the increased enforcement activity initiated by the Inspectorate of the Ministry Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) in public transportation, controls were held at border points in Dutch Quarter and Cole Bay on December 17th and 18th.
The Control Unit, the law enforcement arm in public transportation, strictly controlled all buses transporting passengers both to and from the French side of the island.
Fines were issued for driving without a valid motor vehicle insurance, not having a valid inspection card and not being able to present a valid driver’s license when ordered to do so by a law enforcement officer.
Over the two day enforcement action 46 buses were controlled. The biggest violation detected was bus drivers transporting passengers to or from the French side of the island while being prohibited to do so based on the stipulated condition in their permit.
Public transportation permit holders who are not in possession of the Dutch nationality are prohibited from operating on the French side of the island.
Additionally, during the control several motor vehicles engaged in public transportation were found to be in a state of disrepair and the interior in an unsanitary condition.
A total of 16 out of 46 buses controlled (34 percent) were found to be in violation of conditions in their permit. These drivers and in some cases permit holders will be receiving warning letters from the Ministry.
Repeat offenders will have more stringent measures taken against them not excluding license suspension. In cases where violations were found passengers were ask to exit the motor vehicle in question and accommodated on other public buses in order to continue on to their ultimate destination.
The Inspectorate thanks the traveling public for their cooperation and understanding as the department must ensure that operators comply with the public transportation ordinance.
These controls in public transportation will continue so all public transportation permit holders are expected to be in compliance and cooperate with law enforcement to the fullest extent.
For questions, concerns or complaints please visit the Inspectorate of TEATT at Tamarindesteeg #16 (Yellow Building) on the Pondfill, call 5424511 or email the Inspectorate at idez.inquiries@sintmaartengov.org.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Control Unit Officer carrying out a control of one of the public transportation busses.
Control Unit carries out 46 public transportation controls at nation’s borders
