AVP Member of Parliament Eng. Carlos Bermudez has expressed concern about the current situation in the tourism and public transportation sector. According to the parliamentarian, various signals and complaints from operators who hold legal permits show that the lack of order and discipline is increasing, creating a situation that some describe as a “free-for-all.”
Bermudez indicated that this situation affects not only the sector itself, but also Aruba’s image as a tourist destination.
“The transportation sector represents Aruba daily to thousands of visitors. When professionalism and order come into question, the reputation of our country can also be affected,” Bermudez stated.
Within this context, Bermudez also took note of a serious incident that occurred on Friday, February 27, 2026, where, according to publicly circulating information and videos, a fight broke out between tour operators. The parliamentarian strongly condemned the incident, stating that this type of behavior is completely unacceptable for operators who represent Aruba’s tourism transportation sector.
In the spirit of transparency and accountability, Bermudez submitted a series of formal questions to the Minister of Public Transport, Mr. Arthur Dowers. Among other things, the parliamentarian is requesting information about what concrete actions the Aruba Police Force (KPA), the Department of Public Transport (DTP), and the ministry have taken, and on what exact date, if such actions have been taken.
Additionally, Bermudez is seeking clarity on whether the incident involved operators with their own permits or whether it involved assistant drivers operating under the responsibility of a permit holder. He also asked which sanctions may apply in cases like this, and whether these sanctions are strong enough to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
Another important issue raised by Bermudez concerns the capacity for supervision within the sector. He asked the minister to clarify whether the Department of Public Transport (DTP) has sufficient personnel, operational capacity, and legal instruments to act quickly.
Furthermore, Bermudez expressed concern about the increase in illegal taxi activities, noting that there are growing indications that illegal operators are offering their services through social media. According to the parliamentarian, this phenomenon creates unfair competition, puts passenger safety at risk, and causes frustration among operators who comply with the law. For this reason, he asked the minister to indicate what concrete measures will be taken to eliminate illegal taxi operations and protect the legal sector.
Finally, Bermudez proposed considering the formation of an inter-institutional Task Force, which could include, among others, DIMP, the Aruba Police Force (KPA), and the Department of Public Transport (DTP). Such a structure of cooperation could help address misconduct, combat illegal taxi operations, and deal with situations that threaten safety and professionalism in public transportation.
Bermudez concluded that maintaining confidence in the transportation sector and protecting Aruba’s image as a tourist destination requires that laws and regulations be applied consistently and decisively.