PHILIPSBURG--Commissioner of Public Transportation Frans Richardson says taxi drivers need not worry about the implementation of the Changing Lanes project, as it will not affect them directly.

Changing Lanes specifically refers to regulating congestion in Philipsburg caused by the unregulated bus service. Richardson said Front and Back Streets being closed off would only affect buses. Taxi drivers will be allowed to transport the island's visitors.

The bus service will be regulated through the use of trams, a minibus terminal and a number of additional bus stops. The Commissioner said all parties would be informed accordingly when the plan was fully worked out.

Changing Lanes is a NAf. 7.6-million, two-year project, which is being funded via Dutch funding agency USONA. Richardson described the project as a comprehensive approach to the improvement of public transportation that focused on increasing transportation availability and access to jobs, enhancing service quality, substantially improving the cost effectiveness of transportation funding, infrastructural enhancements and job creation.

He explained that the plan included major infrastructural improvements such as bus terminals, bus stops, signage and lighting. Modernising the existing legislation and developing a comprehensive public transportation policy were also being addressed, as were key concerns of the public such as underserviced routes, congestion, established routes and gypsies.