‘Bad decision’
THE proposed increase of toll fees for Highway 2000 has not found favour with transportation operators as motorists continue to grapple with fuel hikes and other expenses.
The increases, announced Friday, are expected to take effect on Saturday, July 2.
On the Portmore leg of the highway, the fee for class one vehicles will move from $290 to $340; from $470 to $550 for class two; and from $870 to $1,020 for class three – buses and trucks.
At the Vineyards Toll Plaza, drivers of class one vehicles will be paying $600, up from $550; from $810 to $900 for class two; and class three, $1,800 from $1,510. The new fees from Caymanas to Ocho Rios on the north-south leg of the highway will see class one paying $2,130; $4,265 for class two; and $6,395 for class three.
Chief executive officer of the Toll Authority Lerone Laing told the Jamaica Observer that the increase in toll rates is an annual exercise, based on concession agreements with operators of the east-west and north-south legs of the highway.
“The operators are entitled to adjust the toll rate in accordance to a formula that is there, which includes consumer price index and exchange rate. So with those movements, they are within their rights, according to concession agreement. It was reviewed and approved by Cabinet and the [transport] minister once it was in line with the terms of the concession agreement,” he said.
At the same time, Laing noted that consideration was taken for motorists, based on the tough economic situation.
“Of course, from a consumer perspective for road users and the operator’s perspective because their cost is associated with their operations and maintenance of the toll road as well. The intention is always to strike a balance,” he said.
“They are not charging the maximum allowable toll charges at this time. Many of the links are being charged below the maximum that they could have charged. So that alone tells you that a lot of consideration was put into [consideration for] road users with the economic climate we find ourselves in,” he added.
But president of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services Egeton Newman argued that public transport operators will be badly affected by the increase.
He called on Minister of Transport & Mining Audley Shaw to put a hold on increasing toll fees at this time.
“This is unbelievable, at a time when the sector is going through a great deal in terms of operating costs, reduction in passenger carriage, increasing fuel cost and spare parts to now take another increase in toll, it cannot work,” he said.
“I haven’t worked out the details yet but it is a major blow to the sector right now because we can’t take anymore increase. It is a little bit too much for us right now,” he said.
A similar response was given by president of the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association, Kingston Chapter, Noel Williams.
“Given what is happening at the increased price of gas and other things we are facing, I think it is a very bad decision and I don’t think the Government should grant that increase on the toll. Every resistance should be put up to reject that request,” said Williams.
“I am not supporting it. We have over 6,000 operators in our systems who operate islandwide and we are saying no to the toll increase at all cost. We are not supporting it. If the toll were to increase I think the minibus and the taxi men will very well have to ask for an additional increase also because of that,” he added.
The toll increase will range between 9.09 per cent and 26.67 per cent.
At the same time, the operators have offered to lessen the impact of the increase by proposing to offer a discount to motorists who use the Portmore and Spanish Town toll plazas after their 10th trip.
With the notice of the proposed increases published Friday, the public will have five days to provide feedback to the transport ministry.