A shuttle service in its seductive phase

It's almost 8 o'clock on Monday, December 1. In front of the Saint-Jean stadium, Jean-Christophe takes a break before resuming his journey at the wheel of his 22-seater bus. Since 6 a.m., he has inaugurated the shuttle service between Saint-Jean and Gustavia. "So far, I've carried one passenger," he says. No sooner has he finished his sentence than a woman introduces herself. "Is this the shuttle? "she asks. She answers in the affirmative. All smiles, she climbs into the vehicle and shows the driver her registration on the Collectivité territoriale's "smartphone" application. "It's off to a slow start," says the driver. But the seduction operation is underway. In fact, by the very next day, more and more passengers were using one of the two shuttle buses.

Daily progress
"We've got more people today," confirms David, the driver of the second bus, which seats 13. Time enough for the target public to understand the registration system via the Collectivité's application, but also to be convinced of the usefulness of the service. Communication wasn't very good," says one passenger. Some people thought it was reserved for shopkeepers and Gustavia residents. It wasn't necessarily very clear. A bit like the registration thing on the application. "A relative lack of clarity, since the system was quickly understood by the first users.
At the beginning of December, traffic between Saint-Jean and Gustavia remains fairly fluid. Thanksgiving visitors have left and those attending the festivities have not yet disembarked. As a result, the journey between the four stops is easy. The first, in Public, opposite the Cave du Port Franc. The second, on Rue du Général de Gaulle in Gustavia. The third, just past the Post Office. Finally, the last stop, in front of the Collectivité territoriale building. "Fifteen minutes, just as planned", says a pleased David as he pulls up in front of the Collectivité. As he sets off again, he notices that a car is badly parked on a bend in the road. "I can get through with the 13-seater, but it's more complicated with the 22," he says. Another difficulty on the route is the delivery vehicles parked on the lane. Not to mention a number of developments that complicate traffic flow. On the whole, however, the shuttles run smoothly. The only temporary change is the return journey via the dispensary and Tourmente, due to the closure of the Public road from Gustavia. This was for safety reasons, following the rock fall on Thursday November 13 (JSB1641). Despite this minor change, the return to the stadium was on schedule, thirty minutes after departure.

The Gare Maritime, a popular stop
Passengers were almost unanimous in their satisfaction. "I don't know if this will be the case for everyone, but for me, parking at Saint-Jean in the morning and not having to look for a space in Gustavia is ideal," says a store employee. For another, taking the shuttle just makes good sense. "If everyone who works in Gustavia does it, it will free up parking spaces for tourists and everyone will win," she declares. It's a case of common sense for car drivers as well as scooter and quad riders.
Among the few criticisms or misunderstandings that emerge is the lack of a stop at the ferry terminal. "For people who go to Saint-Martin for a day's work, even to spend the weekend there, it would avoid having to park in Gustavia", remarks a passenger on the shuttle. As for possible competition with cabs, it seems unlikely. It's hard to imagine tourists preferring a shuttle to a private driver (or hiring their own car) to get to the ferry terminal. What's more, as the service is reserved for Gustavia workers and island residents throughout its eight-month experimental phase, no tourists will be using the shuttles. In any case, for the time being, passengers wishing to go to the ferry terminal will have to walk from the rue De Gaulle stop to catch the ferry.
For the transport of schoolchildren, it is specified that children under the age of ten must be accompanied. Children over ten may take the shuttle on their own, but must have parental authorization.
For the festive season, especially New Year's Eve (December 31), the question arises of extending the shuttle's opening hours. The possibility of getting to Gustavia for the festivities without having to take one's car should, once again, ease congestion in the city at its peak.