WILLEMSTAD - A recent court case has revealed that small buses in public transport, much like taxis, are permitted to transport tourists for a fee. This revelation came to light during a case involving Giovanni Decaster, the chairman of STO, the union for small buses, who was fined for transporting tourists in his bus.
The law enforcement officers claimed that this action was in violation of the law. However, during the court proceedings, it emerged that the law allows for the transportation of passengers in public transport vans for a fee, including tourists.
Giovanni Decaster contested the fines he received, both for transporting tourists and for the absence of a taxi light on his bus, which, according to the police, he should install to perform taxi services.
Decaster successfully argued that the law permits the transportation of people for a fee in small buses, as there is no distinction made between local residents and tourists.
Acquittal
The leader of the STO union was acquitted of the fines. Only the fine for not being able to present the insurance papers upon the first request remains, costing Decaster 50 guilders since he was indeed insured. Otherwise, the fine would have been 450 guilders.
The verdict holds significant implications for public transport in Curaçao, where small buses are now officially allowed to transport tourists for a fee, similar to the way taxis operate.
This ruling also underscores the importance of a thorough understanding of the legislation pertaining to public transport among law enforcement officers.