WILLEMSTAD - Drivers of small buses, up to nine passengers, must wear their seat belts. This has been determined by the Court in Willemstad. STO, the union of small buses, had provoked a lawsuit because buses on Bandabou do not wear belts.
STO President Giovanni Decaster spoke on behalf of 150 small bus drivers during the appeal hearing. They think it is inhumane to have to drive eleven hours a day with a seatbelt.
Tourist buses and medium-sized buses that drive the route to Banda Abou are indeed exempt from the seat belt requirement, but small buses and taxis are not. Much to the chagrin of the union.
Everything revolves around the number of seats on the bus. The buses to Bandabou do not have nine seats as in Bandariba, but fifteen and therefore fall under the exemption.
The judges advised Decaster to go to the relevant authorities and also ask for an exemption, just like with other buses.