PORUS, Manchester — As news spread on Monday that the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000 is expected to be handed over to TransJamaican Highway next month, vendors and business operators on the old road in Porus are hoping this will push more traffic back towards them.

They have heard plans to toll this leg of Highway 2000 before but over the past two years motorists have been allowed to use it without charge and most have taken this option leaving businesses floundering in Porus and adjoining communities.

But Stephen Edwards, managing director at National Road Operating & Constructing Company (NROCC) — which is responsible for overseeing the design, construction and maintenance of Jamaica’s highways — on the weekend, told the Jamaica Observer that the handover is now set for October.

“Let us see, because for two years now we a get the promise that it ago toll. We know if the toll a collect some people are not going to pay and businesses can get more revenue round on Porus side. Free toll a mash we up. We a suffer,” said one business operator who asked not to be named.

In the meantime Whitney Turn vendor Heyward McLean said he wished the toll was already implemented.

“The stall people a suffer round here. They gave free toll to the people and we can’t buy sugar. Sometimes we have to lock up the stalls, because we can’t put nothing on it. We don’t have any money,” said McLean.

“It should [toll] a long time before October or they lock it off until they fix it or whatsoever, but them give free toll for two years and we round here suffer,” added McLean while appealing to the Government for assistance.

Wayne Miller, who operates Jus Chicken & Things restaurant in Porus, is optimistic that when toll is introduced the area will see a return in traffic.

“Hopefully we will see a little boost in our sales and more activity in the town from the market vendors to the jerk chicken man. A lot of people they will drive through Porus still, because if they don’t they will have to go into Mandeville [for what they want],” said Miller.

“We also want to see the toll operational, so it can be more secure in terms of the cattle running out on people to preserve life. Hopefully they do what they say they are going to do,” he added.

On Monday the Observer reported that a woman had to be rushed to hospital early Saturday morning after cattle strayed onto the highway shortly after midnight, causing extensive damage to two vehicles, and leaving the occupants nursing injuries.

According to Miller, the tolled section of the PJ Patterson Highway is well maintained while the section where the toll system is not in place does not get that level of attention.

“I give credit to those people who run that section of the highway. We would like to see the same on this side where they maintain it and patrol it to make sure the fence is not cut, inspect the fence every day,” said Miller.

Meanwhile, the operator of a pharmacy in Porus told the Observer that his business has also been affected by the reduced traffic through the town since the opening of the highway.

“Our customers live in the community [Porus]. Some persons are the owners of small businesses, be it a stall on the road or even a grocery shop. They depend on that income from persons passing by. When they come to the pharmacy they may be short on cash. We have a credit system that we extend to some of our valued customers,” said the businessman who requested that his name be withheld.

“Because nobody knows what is happening persons cannot plan properly…the service delivery is affected even to get supplies, because the distributor would want to drive on the highway and bypass us, so if we normally get goods every other day, now it will be one or two times per week,” the businessman added as he called for urgent repairs to the old road.

The Observer’s news team saw two sections of the road at Whitney Turn and Scott’s Pass pockmarked with potholes.

“People should have the choice of where they want to drive. What should be done is that all the roads should be fixed going through this area [old road], whether there is a toll or not,” he said.

Councillor Claudia Morant-Baker (Jamaica Labour Party, Porus Division) is also hopeful economic activity will return to Porus once the toll is introduced.

“More business will come through Porus. There will be more vehicles here, so that we can grow, it will bring back part of the glory of what Porus once was,” said Morant-Baker.

In the communities of Berrydale and Scott’s Pass, vendors say they have been seeing low sales for the past two years.

“Nothing nah gwan from the highway open. See me have 11 Heineken on the shelf and two Magnums, it’s hard and I have three children to send to school. Not even the street light doesn’t come on yet, you nuh see seh round yah suh dead,” said a bartender in Berrydale.

“I don’t make a dollar from morning, so I can cook dinner for the children,” added the bartender as she claimed that before the highway there were times the police was needed to regulate traffic in the vicinity of the bar.

Cecil Douglas, who sells fruits in Scott’s Pass, said he is also anxiously waiting for the introduction of the toll.

“I believe things will be better you know, because right now I tell you to say things definitely slow bad. All of the things are perishing [fruits]. Look all on the plantains. I bought them green and see what happen to it,” said Douglas as he pointed to some overripe plantains.

“First time you used to find St Elizabeth people a support we, but no support right now,” added Douglas.

Wayne Miller, who operates Jus Chicken & Things restaurant in Porus, speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Monday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

A section of the Whitney Turn main road pockmarked with potholes. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

Whitney Turn vendor Heyward McLean. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

Fruit vendor Cecil Douglas points at overripe plantains on his stall. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

File photo of the Toll Gate toll plaza on the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000. (Photo: Kasey Williams)