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Mobility is at the heart of many discussions in Saint Barthélemy. On February 3, regional meetings were held at the Collectivité hotel on this topic, in conjunction with safety. In parallel with this public meeting, the Multiprofessional Economic Chamber received the report commissioned from Drop-972, a company specializing in transportation. The company's mission was to conduct a study on passenger transport in Saint Barthélemy. The aim was to draw up a precise overview of the sector, analyze the malfunctions observed, and formulate operational proposals "to improve the efficiency, clarity, and regulation of passenger transport in the long term."
Initially, the study, carried out between November 2025 and January 2026, looked at the number of vehicles on the island. There are 18,485 in total, including 8,636 cars and 6,931 scooters, quads, and "micro-vehicles" (Twizy, etc.). This last category is on the rise, with 724 additional units between 2025 and 2026. Cars and two-wheelers account for 84.2% of the fleet. Commercial vehicles (vans and trucks) make up 14.5% of the fleet. As for the twenty public transport vehicles, they represent only 0.1% of the total.
A bus network?
To conduct its study, the firm reports having conducted 73 interviews with taxi and transport operators, hoteliers and restaurateurs, economic and tourism stakeholders, and elected officials. The study notes that "all stakeholders agree on the following observations": "a lack of regulation and coordination," "a shortage of taxis during high season and at night," "opaque and inconsistent pricing," "an informal organization based on traditional practices," and "insufficient public transportation for employees and residents." On this last point, however, it should be noted that there is now a shuttle service between Saint-Jean and Gustavia. But users still need to take advantage of it.
The proposals put forward in the study mention an "urban bus network" with four to five lines. The report also emphasizes the need for stricter controls and appropriate penalties, particularly for professional transport operators who do not respect their area of activity. "The current passenger transport system has structural limitations in the face of changing mobility needs in the region," it states. Demand, which is strongly influenced by seasonal tourism and increased travel, now exceeds existing supply capacity. In this context, a reform of the regulatory and organizational framework appears necessary. "How? "By strengthening the transport service's response capacity, professionalizing and structuring the sector in a sustainable manner, providing legal and economic security for existing players, and improving the clarity and fairness of the fare system for users."
Initiating reform
For the authors of the report, the difficulties encountered in Saint Barthélemy are due to "a lack of organization, governance, and coordination." They add: "The strengths of the sector—quality of vehicles, knowledge of the territory, commitment of professionals—cannot be fully realized without a structured and shared framework."
The study therefore simply calls for reform to "build a coherent, sustainable, and exemplary transport model that serves residents, employees, and visitors, while preserving the economic and social balance of the territory."
While not a bible for change, the study can still serve as a basis for more detailed reflection on the evolution of transportation on the island.
