Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has told the Transport Authority and the police to conduct sting operations to nab public transport operators who have reportedly increased their fares in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Vaz told a media briefing Friday morning that he had received reports of operators of Coaster buses doubling their fares in some cases.

“I’ve gotten disturbing reports that the public passenger vehicles, licensed by the Government of Jamaica, are overcharging already. [They’re] not overcharging in Westmoreland because that can’t carry anybody down there. [It’s happening] right here in Kingston and St Andrew, Spanish Town, Portmore, St Mary; all of the areas that have been unaffected. They’re overcharging in some cases 50-100 per cent,” said Vaz.

“I’m sending a warning, and I’m putting the Transport Authority on alert, zero-tolerance. Between the police and the Transport Authority, carry out as many sting operations and seize as many [buses as possible] because the more the merrier, because one thing we’re not going to accept in this disaster is unconscionable behaviour,” Vaz added.

Meanwhile, the transport minister pleaded with motorists who are reportedly speeding through the toll booths, which remain open free-of-cost, to slow down.

He told the media briefing that there are “disturbing reports about extortion and charges on the toll; but more so, the fact that there’s a safety concern that I want to raise.”

“Because the toll booths are open and the sticks (barriers) are up, people are driving through them in excess of the speed limit on the highway which has caused accidents in the past and is going to cause more if it continues.

“I’m pleading with every motorist that uses the East-West and North-South highway; please, we have enough problems on our hands now than to overburden the hospitals with irresponsible behavior [and cause] injuries as a result, or death as a result of irresponsible behavior,” Vaz said.

– Lynford Simpson