Southern Martinique collective taxis resume service as public transport stalls

Collective taxis, known locally as taxicos, have returned to the roads of southern Martinique to fill a gap left by the suspension of regular public transport. The service provides an immediate mobility option for workers, students and residents who otherwise lack a way to reach their destinations, including the capital Fort‑de‑France. Drivers stress that the revival is provisional and call for a permanent regulatory framework to sustain operations.

The resurgence follows a sharp decline in taxico usage after the introduction of the high‑level bus service (BHNS) priced at €2.10, which undercut the taxis’ fares. Representative Richard Marie‑Reine argues that the low bus price has made many taxicos financially unviable, urging authorities to devise a tariff structure that allows both modes to coexist.

The debate highlights the broader challenge of balancing affordable public transport with the economic survival of private collective operators in the region.