“HIGHWAY robbery” is how Noel Williams, president of the Kingston Chapter of Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) Tours, has described the impending toll road rate increases, which transport operators fear could impact their operations. The increases prompted more calls on Monday for the Government to step in. JUTA representatives, in collaboration with Jamaica Cooperative Automobile & Limousine (JCAL) Tours Limited and other transport organisations, gathered at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston for a meeting on Monday, hoping to get an audience with representatives of the Ministry of Transport and the Toll Authority of Jamaica to share pressing concerns.
But despite being invited, according to Williams, there were no representatives from either group. Williams told the Jamaica Observer that their no-show was a clear indication of the scant regard which they have for transport operators. “We are saying to the Government and the Toll Authority, that we cannot any longer absorb this toll increase, because we are of the opinion that this is the most expensive toll anywhere in the world,” Williams said, expressing that many operators already find it difficult to pay fees for certain categories of vehicles on the toll and cannot manage any upward adjustment at this time.
The new toll fees, to affect motorists using the North-South Highway, are expected to take effect at the end of the month. New toll fees affecting motorists using the North-South Highway are expected to take effect at the end of the month. The Government has published the proposed new rates with a capped toll of $2,610 each way for Class 1 vehicles.
Operators of Class 2 vehicles would pay $5,220 one way, while the proposed toll for Class 3 vehicles, including larger trucks, is $7,830. Williams recommended that the move be put on pause for a year, to allow for consultation among stakeholders. “I think this is highway robbery by the Toll Authority, and the Government sits there completely complacent and they do nothing about it.
With that said, we are asking the Government to have dialogue with the Toll Authority. We are having a serious issue already with what we are paying for one coaster bus to go from Kingston to St Ann and back. One round trip [now] costs bus operators $15,000.
We will be asked to pay $15,680 when the new rate is introduced.
Summary from source