WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao continues to struggle with a taxi market governed by outdated legislation dating back to 1969, resulting in high fares, chronic shortages, and little consumer protection. That is the conclusion of a new analysis by economist Rob van den Bergh and legal expert Jeff Sybesma, who note that multiple reform attempts have failed and that politicians have largely avoided tackling the sector.
Since 1991, the number of taxi licenses has been capped at 200, while stay-over tourism has tripled and cruise tourism has increased fivefold. Despite booming demand, the cap has remained unchanged, leaving visitors and locals with long waits, especially during high season. With drivers free to decide when and if they work, many customers are forced to rely on illegal “grey taxis.”
High Costs, Little Transparency
Taxi fares remain steep and murky. Officially, the maximum tariff set in 2008 is still in place, but in practice, drivers charge higher rates based on a 2017 fare structure that was drafted but never implemented. A ride to a hotel can easily cost dozens of dollars, putting taxis out of reach for many Curaçao residents. As a result, people often drive themselves after an evening out, raising concerns about road safety.
Oversight is minimal, with few rules on availability, customer service, driving behavior, or vehicle maintenance. The Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) has previously pushed for stricter standards, but police enforcement has been virtually absent.
Political Inaction
In 2020, Parliament passed a motion to update the taxi legislation, reassess the cap on licenses, and modernize the National Passenger Transport Ordinance. Five years later, none of these measures have been implemented. According to Van den Bergh and Sybesma, the conclusion is unavoidable: politicians have been unwilling to confront the powerful taxi sector.
The authors warn that without reform, customers will remain at a disadvantage under the outdated system. The pressing question, they argue, is whether the government and Parliament will finally take action to modernize the market and create a taxi industry that is efficient, fair, and future-ready.
