KINGSTON, Jamaica — Taxi operators group Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS) are this morning demanding a 50 per cent fare increase saying that they are not surprised at Government’s move to increase the tax on gasoline.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service Audley Shaw, in opening the budget debate yesterday announced that special consumption tax on petrol will be increased by $7.00 per litre. The expected yield from the new gas tax is $6.489 billion for the remainder of the fiscal year, which will be used to fund the government’s $1.5 million tax relief plan.

“When you need money and you must get it but it must be known there is going to be a rippling effect,” a news release from TODSS said.

It said that the public transport sector will not be able to absorb this seven or up to nine per cent and will now have to make a submission to Government for a fare increase immediately as there is no way transport operators will be able to operate with the increase.

“We are going for a 50 per cent increase,” the release added.

“We have a good working relationship with the Transport Minister Mike Henry and we know we can get an early meeting with him to address this matter. In the mean time, we will continue to service the travelling public with the highest level of professionalism.”