St. John taxi drivers will be exempt from a planned 3 percent transaction fee for one year following discussions between Senator At Large Angel Bolques Jr. and the National Park Service (NPS). The exemption, which delays the fee until Jan. 1, 2026, provides relief for local drivers and additional time to adjust to the federally mandated fee structure.
The decision follows months of engagement between Bolques and NPS officials regarding commercial use authorization fees affecting transportation services within the park. Initially, after discussions in December 2024, NPS agreed to extend the fee deadline to February 2025. Continued advocacy led to the full-year exemption, according to the press release.
Bolques expressed gratitude to NPS officials, including Superintendent Penelope Del Bene, Deputy Superintendent Scott Simmons, and Concessions Management Specialists Paul Jones and Esther Francis, for their cooperation. During meetings, officials also provided updates on developments at the Caneel Bay property, the press release stated.
Taxi drivers are encouraged to use the exemption period to prepare for the 2026 implementation. Bolques plans to work with the Taxi Cab Commission (TCC) to assess St. John’s tariff system and facilitate discussions between taxi operators, NPS, and TCC to explore ways to mitigate the impact of the upcoming fee, the release stated.
The exemption follows Bolques’ broader efforts to support the territory’s transportation sector and ensure fair regulatory policies, it stated.
