KRALENDIJK - The expectation that Bonaire will get its first bus service in September 2026 has turned out to be premature. That is what a spokesperson for the Executive Council (EC) of Bonaire confirmed following enquiries about recent reports in other media, which claimed that the first bus line would be operational after the summer.
Earlier, partly on the basis of parliamentary questions and administrative plans, it had been suggested that the island would soon launch public transport. Reference was made to agreements in the Bonaire Administrative Accord 2024–2027 and the Regional Deal, both of which place mobility and area development at the forefront. Reports also indicated that the previous island administration had approved the establishment of an organisation to manage public transport services.
Unachievable plan
According to the current Executive Council, however, that picture is overly optimistic. Those involved say that plans for a bus line are still at a very early stage. Realisation before September 2026, certainly in the form previously described, is therefore considered unachievable.
The new EC stresses that it is currently conducting a thorough review of existing plans. As part of this process, it is assessing which projects are genuinely feasible, which initiatives have been stalled unnecessarily, and where the most urgent needs lie.
Empty promises
Criticism of the earlier expectations is blunt: the previous administration’s announcements are being described as "empty promises." At the same time, the current administration says it is focused on looking ahead and has pledged to come forward at a later stage with realistic, well-substantiated plans.
For Bonaire’s residents, this means they will remain dependent on private transport or limited alternatives for the foreseeable future. When public transport will actually launch, and in what form, remains unclear for now.
