Bus fares structure shows
average 50-cent increase
PHILIPSBURG--Commuters will have to pay an average of US 50 cents more on the existing fares for most routes when the new bus fares go into effect.
The new fares structure specifies amounts commuters have to pay for “regular fares” (from 5:00am to 11:59pm) and “night fares” (12:00 midnight to 5:00am).
Under the new structure, specific amounts are mentioned for adults and children for the various routes. Additionally, children from 0 to 3 years old and senior citizens above age 65 will travel for free.
The new structure has been approved by the Executive Council and is awaiting the green light from Governor Frits Goedgedrag. If all goes well, the new rates are likely to go into effect on Thursday, November 1.
According to the new rate sheet, adult commuters travelling from Philipsburg to Marigot; Philipsburg to Mullet Bay; Philipsburg to French Quarter and Philipsburg to Pointe Blanche (including to the prison) will have to pay US $2 during the day and up until midnight. This is a 50-cent increase over the existing regular fares. Minors will have to pay $1.
With the exception of the Philipsburg to Pointe Blanche route, adult commuters travelling the other routes between midnight and 5:00am will pay US $3.50, while children will pay US $1.75. The night fare for Philipsburg to Pointe Blanche is US $3 for adults and US $1.50 for children.
The regular fare for “short stops” such as from Philipsburg to the junction of Senna Drive and Bush Road, Philipsburg to A.Th. Illidge Road (in the vicinity of the Bowling Alley/Amsterdam Shopping Center), Philipsburg to Welfare Road, and from the Simpson Bay bridge or Philipsburg to the junction of Welfare, A.J.C. Brouwer and Union Roads will be respectively $1 and $1.50 for adults and 50 cents and 75 cents for children during the day. Travelling these same routes at night will cost respectively $2 and $2.50 for adults and $1.25 and $1.75 for children.
The regular fare for adult commuters travelling from Philipsburg to St. Peters/L.B. Scott Road, Philipsburg to Dutch Quarter, and Philipsburg to Belvedere/Sucker Garden/Middle Region/Defiance, and Philipsburg to the junction of Welfare, A.J.C. Brouwer and Union Roads and up to the Simpson Bay bridge will be $1.50 for adults and 75 cents for children. At night adults will pay $2.50 and children $1.25 to travel these same routes.
The regular fares for the hospital routes from Great Bay/Fort Willem Hill to St. Maarten Medical Center will be $1 for adults and 50 cents for children and the night fares will be $2 for adults and $1 for children.
Public Transportation Committee Chairwoman Lucy Gibbes is expected to start a public relations campaign to enlighten the public about the new fares some time next week.
