DRIVERS of class three vehicles will have to fork out $700 more to travel the 66-kilometre stretch from Caymanas to Mammee Bay in Ocho Rios when the new toll rates for the North-South leg of Highway 2000 (Edward Seaga Highway) come into effect on August 20.

The toll rate for class three drivers along the entire corridor is set to move from $5,900 to $6,695. Class one drivers are now expected to pay $1,900, up from $2,230; operators of class two vehicles will move from $3,600 to $4,465; and class four will go from paying $1,000 to $1,115.

Other motorists who will be paying more include those taking the quick trip from Caymanas to Angels. Drivers of class one vehicles will now pay $325 up from the $250 previously paid to traverse the distance of less than 10 kilometres.

For that same distance, class two vehicles will now pay $625, up from $500; class three $970, up from $850; and class four $160, up from $150.

The new toll rates, which were advertised Thursday by the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz, should have taken effect on July 1 but were deferred until August 20.

The ministry, in a release at that time, said the decision was made following discussions with the toll road operators.

All other routes from Linstead, Unity Valley, and Lydford to Mammee Bay will also see increased toll rates.

Under the Concession Agreement between toll road operators and the Government, operators are entitled to a variation of the toll rates, normally effective on July 1 each year.

The current implementation date agreed with both the operators of the PJ Patterson Highway and Edward Seaga Highway is the first Saturday in July.

The toll adjustment on the PJ Patterson Highway – east-west – was implemented on July 1, 2023.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, at a post-Cabinet press briefing on July 5, said the application for a variation of toll levels is to be made by the concessionaire or the developer to the toll regulator no later than two months prior to the anniversary of the last adjustment.

“A copy of this application is sent to the ministry, National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC), and the Toll Authority. Where the toll regulator is satisfied, he makes recommendations to the minister and the ministry. Approval is sought from Cabinet to proceed,” he said.

Vaz noted that when the decision has been made by Cabinet to proceed with the variation, the minister, by notice in a daily newspaper, informs the public and interest groups of the intent and invites them to make submissions to the Toll Authority concerning the proposed variation. He further pointed out that it is customary to provide a notice period for the submission of comments of five to seven days.

In the notice published on Thursday, the minister said members of the public and interest groups may, within five days from the date of its publication, peruse a copy of the agreement on the internet at mtm.gov.jm and forward submissions in writing concerning the proposed order to the Toll Authority.