WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao’s long-awaited public transport reform is gaining momentum as the 2025 Supplementary Budget sets aside new funding for digitization of the island’s bus network. The Ministry of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning (VVRP) will begin developing a digital route-planning and scheduling system designed to improve reliability, transparency, and oversight of public transport operations.

The reform aims to address long-standing issues such as unpredictable arrival times, route deviations, and lack of enforceable service standards. The digital platform will allow the ministry to track bus movements in real time, monitor frequency compliance, and better coordinate service during peak hours.

The new system is a first step toward a broader restructuring of Curaçao’s public transport sector, which has struggled for decades due to fragmented oversight and outdated laws. The ministry confirmed that the creation of a Public Transport Authority remains under study and may be introduced in a future phase.

Bus cooperatives have expressed cautious optimism but want to be closely involved in the design of the system to avoid disruptions to drivers’ daily operations.

The government considers the reform essential for improving mobility, reducing congestion, and aligning Curaçao with international best practices in island transport management.