PNP wants answers on proposed bus fare hike

Friday, March 12, 2010

THE Opposition People's National Party (PNP) yesterday called on Transport Minister Mike Henry to provide a "clear and unambiguous" statement regarding the levels of bus fare increases to be implemented by the state-run Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) next month.

The Opposition was responding to yesterday's lead Observer story that reported that considerations were being given to a steep increase in bus fares from $50 to $110 for adults and from $15 to $30 for children, senior citizens and the disabled.

Opposition spokesman on transport Robert Pickersgill, in a press release, said the Letter of Intent prepared by Government for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could result in the withdrawal of the $700-million subvention from the JUTC, which he said could see a big hike in bus fares.

But he said experience has shown that with every increase in bus fares, ridership falls. He added that "other players in the sector typically raise their fares as well, though at a level below the official rates, and in so doing poach passengers from the JUTC services".

This, he said, further compounds the 'unprofitability' of the state-owned bus services.

"Minister Henry must come clean on all of these matters and stop dodging questions asked of him in Parliament on these and other related issues," Pickersgill said.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (14)

tina chambers
3/13/2010

HAHA...Jamaica as gone to the dogs..and believe it or not i want to go back home i dont want to get old and die in a next mans country..the country i am living now bus fare went up last week ... it went up by 10cents no problem because every 10mins the bus passes at the bus stop...and the bus service is making a profit here...gas went up so they have to pass on a little of the cost to the people.......the gov of jamaica wants tooo much tooo fast from poor people

T G
3/13/2010

The JLP did not lock-down JOS by the time JLP took over JOS was a shell. The Comrade Government of the 70s, nationalized then bastardized the JOS.
The Train Service was not locked down under the JLP. The lines were damaged under the JLP during the Hurricane. The Service was reduced in some areas. It was then locked down by the Comrade Government in 1992.
Can't remember trees growing in the middle of the road. The Metropolitan Parks and Markets a forerunner of the the National Solid Waste Management was established by the 80s JLP to clean up the mess that the Comrade Government of the 70s left. Then there were tress growing in some roadway and the gullies and markets were in a poor, sanitary condition.
In fact one of very first signs that the Comrade Government of the 70s had failed was when regular garbage collection in KSAC ceased and was replaced by semi-private trucks and crews operating on an ad hoc basis.
One of the reason why I would never join the JLP Party is because the manner in which they allow lies that have toasted the positive contribution of the JLP Government of the 80s and in a wider sense their Party to propagate and take root.
Even their own Party supporters and members swallow hook, line and sinker the lies and spin belched out by dishonest Comrades, seeking to relitigate the past.

T G
3/13/2010

Time to get rid of this mess as well.
100% of Jamaican Citizens are paying for a service the only a fraction of them can benefit from.
Just like Jamaica is a bad idea.
Hand over to the Private Sector and move on!
....TG....

S S
3/13/2010

Was it Mike Henry who said that there was going to be a steep increase in bus fares?
Is this sensational journalism or what?

Everton Hewitt
3/12/2010

Well as we all can see that Government cant run any business...this state owned bus service is unprofitable... I think the buses are filled and money been made..its just how the money been spent..just like Air Jamaica..will the government sell the bus service also...lets wait and see .

John Brown
3/12/2010

Arlene Frome
The last sentence of my previous post I mentioned that politicians from both parties are WUTLISS. We all know that both parties are sell out because the former PNP administration sell out the banking / insurance industry and the cement company to the Trinis, and they sell out other government entities to there loyalist. Heh, and now likewise the JLP administration. They (PNP) sold Air Jamaica slot at Heathrow or Gatwick to Virgin Atlantic for peanuts. Anyway, it seems like you trying to score political points for your side (PNP), me cuss both side. I want to see Jamaica progress. In closing 'NUH WHEY NUH BETTA THAN YAAD'. Mi waan betta fi YAAD.

Richard Edwards
3/12/2010

It's one thing to raise the bus fare, but in exchange, you would expect to at least get good service, but good service is almost non existent in some aspects of Jamaican life, this bus service is so unreliable. I have known cases where people are standing at a bus stop for hours at a time before they get a bus, but no one cares about that, their only concern is how to squeeze more money out of the poor oppressed Jamaican people. God help Jamaica, so much for the so-called 'christian" nation. What a joke.
Richard Edwards. New York City
betterlieforjamaicans@yahoo.com

Arlene Frome
3/12/2010

Labourites plant cassava
Comrades plant busy because we haffi have something fi counteract the poison.
Because these young people dont know the bitter from sweet cassava.

Arlene Frome
3/12/2010

john brown
remember that the JLP government is sell out and wutliss as you call the PNP. But let me remind u air jamaica was locked down under jlp watch, the national bus service JOS then was locked down. Health centres were locked down . The train service was dismantled. Trees were growing into the roads. u could get lumber from them. So many people did not have light and water and i could go on and on. How can u have a country and not have a national bus service. Ask Pearnel Charles and his brother to tell u what went on with that bus service. U need to study more about Jamaica before u come and criticise people who has done good for u and ur family. It was the PNP that gave us back our national bus service, national carrier, widened and built roads that a journey that used to take you 4 hours now only takes u 2 hours.Upkeep of roads without a gas tax imposed on us. Light and water in almost every home. u can stop carry water pan u head and your nose can get rid of all the black black stuff from the kerosene oil. That is good governance under the PNP watch we are for the poor people like u. I can bet u have a washing machine u ooman nuh haffi sidung behin wash pan a get witlow pan her finga. God bless PNP Party. Look out unda JLP party we a go back to the olden times when u haffi ring cassave fi mek duff.

Crissy Chris
3/12/2010

I cannot understand why is it that every time the Gleaner or Observer "reports on a story from a reliable source", the opposition and others immediately "jump" on the wagon...do some research first before assumptions are made...We act as if journalism in Jamaica is the best thing since slice bread *smh*...I am not saying that the information may not be true but geez, a little tact would do good on the part of the "interested parties".

Jan M
3/12/2010

Wow! Fare hike from $50 to $110 and $15 to $30? Why such a huge increase in one shot? Ridership will decrease. Nothing wrong in increasing the fares but more than 100% & 100% increase for adults and seniors, children & disabled respectively? These people in charge not thinking.
Secondly: Mr. Pickersgill wants Mr. Henry to come CLEAN?
It's about time we Jamaicans make all these poloticians (Government & Opposition) know that we only care about Jamaica and not their damn parties.

3/12/2010

I want answers too, and I am listening out for the PSOJ to demand answers too. But as I said they wont because they dont take the but to get to the airport when they want to fly to Miami.

John Brown
3/12/2010

Jamaica needs an answer about the economic mess the wutliss PNP administration lef di country in after 18 1/2 years of corruption and mismanagement. All dem waan fi do is get back in power, fi go etc. A relic like Bobby Pickergill fi step aside and give a younger person a chance.
If all those politicians (PNP & JLP) was working in the private sector, base upon there performance they would be fired a long time ago.WUTLISS!! LOL!!

Jay Brown
3/12/2010

I have lost whatever little confidence I had in the transportation minister who I find to be an arrogant person.
Not only that I believe he is rather clueless as it relates to many function of the job and has such cannot provide clear answers to any question asked.
These guys were never prepared for the position they held today and hence many missteps are being taken.

Did you watch American football's Super Bowl on Sunday?
	Yes, but just for the advertisements
	Yes, just for the game itself
	Yes, for both the game and advertisements
	No, I did not watch the Super Bowl.

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Police threat level at extreme

PNP wants answers on proposed bus fare hike