Road transport
Public transport by bus: bus permits, routes, stops and the technical inspection of buses.
Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism
Transport
The Directorate of Transport handles policy, permits and supervision for transport by road, water and air. Here you will find the plans for public transport, how to apply for a bus permit and where to go.
Priorities towards 2027
The three key priorities of the Sub-directorate of Road and Water Transport for public transport.
-
Priority 1
Digitalisation of public transport
Database, GPS, digital monitoring and reporting
Goal A more efficient, more transparent and more verifiable public transport system.
Key actions
- Introduce the digital bus permit database.
- Update and digitise the records of permit holders.
- Phase in GPS monitoring.
- Digital monitoring and reporting.
Result 2027Up-to-date transport data and better control of permits, vehicles and routes.
Needed Funding, ICT support and, where needed, changes to laws and regulations.
-
Priority 2
Revised permit conditions
New conditions, supervision and enforcement
Goal Permit conditions that meet current and future requirements for safety, quality, service, control and organisation of public transport.
Key actions
- Review the current permit conditions.
- Clear requirements for vehicles, routes, insurance and service.
- Stronger supervision and enforcement.
Result 2027Clear permit conditions and better managed public transport.
Needed Legal support, government approval and enough capacity for supervision and enforcement.
-
Priority 3
Accessibility and road safety
Routes, stops, organisation and safety
Goal Better organised, more accessible and safer public transport.
Key actions
- Evaluate bus routes and restructure them where needed.
- Update route descriptions.
- Tackle bottlenecks at terminals and boarding points.
- Improve priority bus stops.
- Build road safety into route planning and permit issuing.
Result 2027Updated bus routes, bottlenecks addressed and first improvements to stops and road safety.
Needed Cooperation with Public Works, Justice and Police, district administrations and the transport sector, plus funding for priority improvements.
Core result 2027
Together, the three priorities form the basis for a modern, transparent and better managed public transport system that better meets the needs of society.
Intended course towards 2027
- A better managed and transparent public transport system.
- Up-to-date and reliable information on permit holders, vehicles and routes.
- Clear and current permit conditions with stronger supervision and enforcement.
- A better coordinated network of bus routes, stops and terminals.
- More attention to road safety and the mobility needs of citizens and areas.
Apply for a bus permit
How to apply for or renew a permit for public transport by bus.
Write a petition
Address a petition to the Minister of TCT, through the director of the Directorate of Transport. Include your name, ID, phone, address, the route you want and the purpose. You can get the form at the Directorate of Transport or the Public Transport Service.
Pay the fee and submit
Pay SRD 2 in fees and stamp duty at the Central Payment Office or a district commissariat. Hand in the petition with a revenue stamp at the DIV (Agenda) department, Lachmonstraat 132. Your receipt slip is your application number.
Documents and inspection
If the decision is positive, you hand in the documents at the Public Transport Service within a week and your bus is inspected.
Receive your permit
Once the documents are complete and the bus has passed inspection, the service drafts the permit and the director finalises the application. This can take a few weeks.
What do you hand in?
- New application: petition with a revenue stamp and the required documents.
- Renewal, change or bus replacement: petition with the old decision and the current bus documents.
- Transfer: the current permit holder also signs the petition.
Costs
- SRD 2
- Fees and stamp duty per petition
- SRD 150
- Route fee per year
- SRD 1.000
- Administration fee for replacing a bus
Good to know
- A permit is valid for three years. Apply for renewal six months before the expiry date.
- You must apply in person: applications by proxy are not accepted.
- Only Surinamese and CARICOM nationals can apply for a bus permit.
- You may not let anyone else use the permit. A transfer requires the minister's approval.
Based on the Ministry's frequently asked questions on bus permits (2023). Amounts and conditions may change; new permit conditions are being prepared. Check with the Public Transport Service.
Road, water and air
The Directorate of Transport works with three sub-sectors.
Water transport
Shipping, ports and transport by water. The Maritime Authority Suriname supervises shipping.
Air transport
Aviation and airports. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Suriname oversees civil aviation safety.
News and calendar
Recent news from the Ministry on transport.
Contact and offices
Where to go with questions about transport and bus permits.
Directorate of Transport
Mr. Jaggernath Lachmonstraat 132, Paramaribo
- Sub-directorate of Road and Water Transport: extension 204 or 205
- Sub-directorate of Air Transport: extension 202 or 203
- Submit applications at the DIV (Agenda) department
Public Transport Service
Mr. Jaggernath Lachmonstraat 167, Paramaribo (Public Works building)
- Bus permit administration and technical inspection of buses
- Monday to Thursday 7:00-15:00, Friday 7:00-14:30
- Also offices in Marowijne, Commewijne, Saramacca, Nickerie, Para and Coronie
Ministry of TCTPolicy, news and documents on transport.
Citizens' Reporting PointAsk the government a question or file a report.
Maritime Authority SurinameShipping, ports and vessel certification.
CASASOversight of civil aviation.
The Ministry in our government guide → · Tourism Connect
Last updated on 14 November 2026. Sources: gov.sr (Ministerie van TCT), Frequently asked questions on bus permits (TCT, 2023), Sub-directorate of Road and Water Transport. This page was compiled with care, but rules change: always check important matters with the official source.