Editing Transport in Aruba

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[[File:Road infrastructure in Aruba.jpeg|thumb|Road infrastructure with a [[Roundabout#Turbo roundabouts|turbo roundabout]] near [[Queen Beatrix International Airport]] (''2021'')]]
'''Transport in Aruba''' is facilitated by road, air, and rail. [[Aruba]] features a well-established road network, with the majority of the roads being paved. However, as one ventures towards the interior of the island, the prevalence of paved roads decreases, giving way to more rugged terrain. Conversely, coastal areas typically offer-well maintained paved roads. Aruba's road network covers a total distance of about {{Convert|998|km|mi}}, with {{Convert|361|km|mi|sigfig=2}} remaining unpaved.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-21 |title=Landscape Series No. 4: The suburbanization of the Aruban landscape – Central Bureau of Statistics |url=https://cbs.aw/wp/index.php/2016/12/21/landscape-series-no-4-the-suburbanization-of-the-aruban-landscape-2/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |language=en-US}}</ref> 

== Public transport ==
[[File:Bus de la empresa Arubus, a cargo del transporte urbano e interurbano dentro de la isla de Aruba.jpg|left|thumb|200x200px|Bus at the [[bus station]] in [[Oranjestad, Aruba|Oranjestad]] (''2017'')]]
The department of public transport, also known in as ''Departamento di Transporte Publico (DTP)'' in [[Papiamento]] or ''Dienst Openbaar Personen Vervoer (DOPV)'' in [[Dutch language|Dutch]], is the government agency overseeing various modes of public transportations, including taxis, buses, tour buses, and rental vehicle, such as cars, scooters, quads, races, and motorcycles). All public transportation services are required to obtain a transportation permit through DOPV.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-12 |title=Transportation license |url=https://www.government.aw/information-public-services/licenses-and-permits_47672/item/transportation-license_40045.html |website=Government of Aruba}}</ref>

=== Buses ===
[[Arubus N.V.]] is the major public transportation company and is owned by the Government of Aruba. It offers transportation services across large parts of the island, operating a fleet of approximately 29 buses. Mini-buses are also a common sight. There are two primary Arubus station located in [[Oranjestad, Aruba|Oranjestad]] and [[San Nicolaas|San Nicolas]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arubus N.V. – The major public transportation of Aruba, owned by the Government of Aruba |url=https://arubus.com/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |language=en-US}}</ref> 

As per the [[Central Bureau of Statistics (Aruba)|Central Bureau of Statistics]] (CBS), the number of registered buses has remained relatively stable from 2015 to 2021. In 2015, there were 129 registered buses, and this number increased to 140 by 2021. In contrast to buses, the count of registered tour buses, has experienced a rapid increase, growing from 94 to 312.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-04 |title=Number of motor-vehicles registered 2015-2021 – Central Bureau of Statistics |url=https://cbs.aw/wp/index.php/2020/06/04/number-of-motor-vehicles-registered-2015-2020/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Data from the CBS indicates a decline in the total number of bus passengers (excluding school children) from 2010 to 2021. In 2010, a total of 2,719,083 passengers were transported, whereas in 2021, the number decreased to 1,129,944.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-04 |title=Total volume of transported bus passengers – Central Bureau of Statistics |url=https://cbs.aw/wp/index.php/2020/06/04/total-volume-of-transported-bus-passengers/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> 

== Air transport ==
[[File:Boeing 757-223, American Airlines AN1043834.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Queen Beatrix International Airport with planes at the terminals, [[American Airlines]] taking off (''2006'')]]
Travelers have the option to take short plane flights from [[Queen Beatrix International Airport]]. The major local airlines, [[Divi Divi Air]] and [[EZ AIR|EZ Air]], operate multiple daily flights between Aruba, [[Curaçao]], and [[Bonaire]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight Schedule: Curacao to Aruba |url=https://www.flydivi.com/Flight_Schedule/CuracaoToAruba |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=www.flydivi.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Destinations |url=https://www.flyezair.com/travel-info/destinations/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=EZAir |language=en}}</ref> However, flying between the islands can be costly, and there have been persistent challenges. Since the 1970s, at least fifteen airlines, both local and from Europe, have made attempts in this regard. Local airlines, such as [[Air Aruba]], have faced financial issues, leading to bankruptcies over the years.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Henriquez |first=8 mei 2019 {{!}} Sharina |last2=Leidel-Schenk |first2=Leoni |date=2019-05-08 |title=Veerdienst Aruba-Curaçao vertraagd: ‘Curaçao moet nog het geld vinden’ {{!}} Caribisch Netwerk |url=https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2019/05/08/veerdienst-aruba-curacao-vertraagd-curacao-moet-nog-het-geld-vinden/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl |language=nl-NL}}</ref>

The ''[[Antilliaanse Luchtvaart Maatschappij|Antilliaanse Luchtvaartmaatschappij]] (ALM),'' or Antillean Airline, held the skies for 37 years, marking its status as the longest-running airline in the region. As a government-owned entity, it enjoyed a monopoly over the islands. ALM's reach extended to 26 flight destinations, with the largest portion (five) in Venezuela. In 2001, circumstances compelled it to halt its operations.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Henriquez |first=17 maart 2017 {{!}} Sharina |date=2017-03-17 |title=Vliegen op de eilanden geen duurzame business {{!}} Caribisch Netwerk |url=https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2017/03/17/vliegen-op-de-eilanden-geen-duurzame-business/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl |language=nl-NL}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| image1            = Boeing 757-23A, Air Aruba JP18756.jpg
| image2            = Aruba Airlines Airbus A320-232 (P4-AAD) at Miami International Airport.jpg
| caption1          = [[Air Aruba]], former airline of Aruba (''1989'')
| caption2          = [[Aruba Airlines]], flag carrier of Aruba (''2016'')
| total_width       = 375
| align             = left
}}

Director Edwin Kelly of the ''Directie Luchtvaart Aruba'', or Aruba Aviation Directorate, highlights significant challenges: insufficient considerations of market changes. Kelly point out that the Venezuelan market was robust, as was the [[Cuba|Cuban]] market, but [[liberalization]] has halted the latter. These markets are temporary and subject to fluctuations. Hence, Kelly emphasizes the need for a long-term strategy, not only for airline establishment but also for long-term viability and sustainability. However, it is crucial for the government to protect the route and maintain the connection between the islands.<ref name=":1" />

Commercial and non-commercial total landings have seen a decline, dropping from 23,765 in 2015 to 11,294 in 2021. Notably, non-commercial landings have experienced the most significant decrease, falling from 6,219 to 986, in contrast to commercial landings, which decreased from 17,546 to 10,308.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-04 |title=Landings of {{sic|nolink=yes|aircrafts}} and revenues 2015-2021 – Central Bureau of Statistics |url=https://cbs.aw/wp/index.php/2020/06/04/landings-of-aircrafts-and-revenues-2015-2020/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Water transport ==
=== Ports and harbours ===
Aruba has three ports or harbors: [[Barcadera, Aruba|Barcadera]], [[Oranjestad, Aruba|Oranjestad]], and [[San Nicolas, Aruba|San Nicolas]]. The [[Aruba Ports Authority]] manages the operations of the ports in [[Barcadera]] and Oranjestad.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aruba Ports Authority |url=https://www.arubaports.com/main/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |language=en-US}}</ref> The government has regained control of the former [[Valero Energy Corporation|Valero]] Aruba Refining Company port. Ports in Barcadera and San Nicolas primarily serve industrial and oil-related purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brelsford |first=Robert |date=2020-03-03 |title=Citgo transfers San Nicolas refinery, terminal assets to Aruban government |url=https://www.ogj.com/refining-processing/refining/article/14169018/citgo-transfers-san-nicolas-refinery-terminal-assets-to-aruban-government |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Oil & Gas Journal}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| image1            = FREEWINDS 2540.jpg
| caption1          = Small cruiship, ''[[Freewinds]]'', docked at Oranjestad harbor (2017)
| image2            = ZETA I 2548.jpg
| caption2          = Oil Tanker ''ZETA I'' at Oranjestad harbor (2017)
| direction         = horizontal
| total_width       = 375
}}

=== Ferries ===
On 15 August 1973, a [[Venezuela|Venezuelan]] ferry from [[La Vela de Coro|La Vela port]] in [[Coro, Venezuela|Coro]] made its inaugural journey to Aruba.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1973-09-01 |title=Caldera met eerste ferry naar Aruba |work=Amigoe di Curacao : weekblad voor de Curacaosche eilanden |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010461320:mpeg21:a0008 |access-date=2023-09-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1973-09-17 |title=Aankomstpunt in Venezuela vrij troosteloos Ferry bewijst stabiliteit bij eerste overtocht Coro-Curacao |work=Amigoe di Curacao : weekblad voor de Curacaosche eilanden |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010461332:mpeg21:a0037 |access-date=2023-09-12}}</ref> By April 1975, the ferry has faced challenges in Aruba related to [[freight transportation]] and [[Labor Union|labor union]] issues. These difficulties have escalated to the extent that the ferry's management was contemplating the possibility of excluding Aruba from its sailing schedule.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1975-04-05 |title=Aankoop schip voor staten aanleiding tot vele vragen Regelmatige diensten tussen eilanden geeist |work=Amigoe di Curacao : weekblad voor de Curacaosche eilanden |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010998581:mpeg21:a0103 |access-date=2023-09-12}}</ref>  

In 2017, based on research of ICASUS Caribbean, the possibility of a ''fast ferry'' between the ABC-islands would be economically viable. However, challenges related to [[crime]] and [[illegal immigration]] are also recognized. Additionally, finding a suitable ferry represents another obstacle. Notably, there are few [[High-speed craft|fast ferries]] capable of operating in this region due to the strong ocean currents.  

Currently, there are no ferry services between Aruba, [[Curaçao]], Bonaire and [[Venezuela]]. The only way to travels between these destinations is by air.<ref name=":0" />  

== Rail transport ==
{{see also|Trams in Oranjestad}}

=== Industrial railways ===
Historically, Aruba had three industrial narrow-gauge railways, although they are no longer in operation. These railways served various industrial purposes. The first railway used for the guano mines of the [[Aruba Phosphate Company]] in [[Seroe Colorado]]. The other two were primarily associated with for the oil industry. One belonged to the [[Lago Oil and Transport Company]], a subsidiary of [[ExxonMobil]], and the other was owned by the [[Arend Petroleum Company]], a subsidiary of [[Royal Dutch Shell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/aruba01.htm |title=The Railways of Aruba, 2014 |website=International Steam|access-date=2 May 2021}}</ref>

=== Trams ===
In 2012, a significant development in Aruba's transportation infrastructure occurred with the inauguration of a [[tram]]way [[Trams in Oranjestad|line]] in Downtown [[Oranjestad, Aruba|Oranjestad]]. This addition marked notable expansion of public transportation options in the area and aimed to enhance mobility within the city.<ref>[http://www.tramz.com/aw/aw.html "The Battery Trams of Aruba" (tramz.com)]</ref><ref>[http://www.tramz.com/aw/awm2.html Oranjestad Tramway map (tramz.com)]</ref>
[[File:Oranjestad streetcar 1265 in 2014.jpg|thumb|200x200px|[[Trams in Oranjestad, Aruba|Streetcar in Oranjestad]] (''2014'')|left]]{{Clear|both}}

==See also==
* [[Vehicle registration plates of Aruba]]
*[[Economy of Aruba]]
*[[List of airlines of the Netherlands Antilles]]

== Sources ==
* {{Cite book |last=Dew |first=L.A. |title=The railroads of Aruba and Curacao |publisher=Wyt |year=1977 |isbn=9060075781 |pages=27-46 |chapter=The Railroad at Lago |chapter-url=https://www.lago-colony.com/JOHANNES_JANSEN/Railroads.pdf |chapter-format=PDF}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{CIA World Factbook}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Transport in Aruba}}

{{Aruba topics}}
{{Americas topic|Transport in}}

[[Category:Transport in Aruba| ]]
[[Category:Transport in the Caribbean| ]]