Heyliger-Marten warns: Paid VIP transport must operate within the law, requires authorization

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten announced Wednesday that her Ministry and the Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) are examining short-term measures to address unauthorized VIP and private passenger transportation. Heyliger-Marten warned that all entities transporting passengers for compensation on public roads in St. Maarten must obtain appropriate legal authorization. She emphasized that describing services as executive, luxury, private, chauffeured, or pre-booked does not exempt operators from regulatory requirements. The Minister stressed that premium service does not equate to unregulated service, underscoring the necessity for compliance to ensure all paid passenger transport operates within the law.