Sint Maarten. Police keep information session with bus drivers

On Tuesday, October 29th at 02.00 P.M. talks between police department, headed by Inspector Benjamin Gout (Head of Traffic) and bus drivers were held at the Philipsburg Police Station. These talks were a follow-up meeting of October 22nd in regard to the upcoming busy end of the year Holiday Day Season.

During these talks many issues and agreements such as road closures, traffic diversions and the use of Back street were discussed. This meeting was well attended and the issue of them not having representation from any association or organization was also a topic of discussion.  One of the bus drivers was appointed contact person between parties.   

Other agreements that were made between the bus drives and police to alleviate the traffic in Philipsburg are:

• Buses will be stationed at the Little League ball park on the Soauliga Boulevard.
• 5 spaces will be reserved for buses on the D.A. Peterson Street opposite the WI-Bank.
• At regulated times these buses will leave these spaces and be allowed to enter the Backstreet. At the same time 5 other buses will leave the Little League Ball Park and fill the same spaces opposite the bank, until it is their turn to go into Back street.
• Stopping on the road causing unnecessary traffic hold ups at Afoo in Cole bay and the Walter Nisbet road (Pondfill road) will not be tolerated. Those bus drivers who commit this and any other traffic violation will be fined. ( The fine is Fls 250,-)
• All buses, will by law, be illuminated by white light on the inside of the vehicle while operating during the night hours.
• All buses and their drivers will be checked to make all sure that all necessary documents are in order.
• All buses must carry a tariff-card, visible to the general public, informing them of the prices that are stipulated by law for each trip.

Notice: The Police Department is also reminding the general public that when some one uses a bus as a mode of transportation, it is stipulated by law that “you pay as you enter”. That you pay (as much as possible) with the correct amount for the trip to avoid unnecessary inconveniences.