Taxis plan lobby today for
answers on parking spaces
~ Ruan says provisions made for parking ~
PHILIPSBURG--The three taxi associations operating on the Dutch side plan to lobby in front of the Government Administration Building today for official word on parking spaces promised to them on the beautified section of Back Street.
Contacted for comment, Head of New Works and Projects Kurt Ruan assured that the parking spaces would be made available for the taxi drivers. He said the same number of spaces that were available prior to the refurbishing works would be maintained but the spaces won’t be demarcated until the necessary cabling works have been completed.
Board members of the three associations showed up in front of the Government Administration Building shortly after 7:00am Wednesday morning hoping to get a hearing from Commissioner Theo Heyliger, who they said promised them parking in the area between Penny’s Department Store and Angelo’s Boutique.
They dispersed shortly after 9:00am without meeting with Heyliger and after failed attempts to meet with Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards on the issue.
President of the Philipsburg Independent Taxi Association Phintax O’Neal Arrindell said the associations were concerned about Heyliger’s promise after a request for a meeting with him dated April 9 was not responded to.
The Phintax President said taxi drivers got more concerned and started querying when the completed half of Back Street was opened and it appeared as if no provisions were made for them to park.
“Two months ago, Heyliger called in all three taxi associations and explained the Back Street project and we were promised parking,” Arrindell told The Daily Herald.
He said the taxi drivers had lost parking space during the upgrading works on Front Street and they didn’t want history repeating itself.
The three associations decided to gather at the Government Building on Wednesday to seek answers after having an emergency meeting on the issue on Tuesday evening. “We just want to know what’s happening because there are parking spaces for busses and areas for merchants to drop off and pick up their goods, so what about us?” Arrindell questioned.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association (DSTA) President Clyde Hook, who said that while he supported Heyliger and the beautification works, his members also wanted answers on the parking facilities. He said the DSTA will have a big crowd in front of the Government Administration Building today, but assured that there will be skeleton staff at the harbour to service passengers.
Mr. Samuels of the Airport Taxi Association (ATA) said the airport taxis will join the other two associations in solidarity in front of the Government Administration Building today. (Judy Fitzpatrick)
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