~ close to 100 taxi drivers do not have hulp-chauffeurs permit~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Taxi 170 that is being operated by a driver identified only as Glen began collecting monies from licensed taxi drivers in order for them to operate in Philipsburg. Several frustrated taxi drivers contacted SMN News after they filed a complaint with the police department and the government control unit informing them of the illegal actions of the taxi driver who claimed he formed an association for drivers to operate in Philipsburg. The drivers said that "Glen" appointed himself as President of the Association which is totally illegal.
At least one driver said that there are about 100 taxis operating in Philipsburg without the hulp-chauffeurs permit including Glen who is operating taxi 170. They said most of the taxis operating in Philipsburg without the hulp-chauffeurs permit belong to several politicians, some of whom ran for the 2018 snap elections.
The driver said that even the police is aware of a number of Haitian and other foreigners that are operating taxis without the necessary documentation and absolutely nothing is done to rectify the problem. The drivers provided a list of 75 drivers most of whom do not have a valid permit to operate that is paying Glen $50 per month to operate their taxis in Philipsburg. The taxi drivers said that the former Minister of Economic Affairs Melissa Doncher had placed dispatchers in Philipsburg to create order and to also give all taxi operators equal opportunity to work but taxi 170 chose to abuse what was put in place to benefit himself even though he does not have the required permit.
SMN News contacted the Interim Minister of TEATT Cornelius de Weever for a comment on the ongoing scam. De Weever said he received a Whatsapp message informing him of the situation and that he has since asked the department to look into the matter and provide him with the necessary information as to how they are dealing with the matter
