KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Transport, Mikael Phillips, has criticised the Government’s decision to implement a two-phase increase in public passenger vehicle (PPV) fares, describing the move as “highly unusual” and “extremely disrespectful” to commuters.

In a statement on Tuesday, Phillips said the fare adjustment announced by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz exposed what he described as the Government’s continued lack of a comprehensive transport policy.

READ: PPV operators granted 16% increase in two phases

“How does the Government implement a new fare without notice to public passengers?” Phillips questioned.

He also raised concerns about the immediate effect of the increase, noting that the Transport Authority had not been informed and no updated fare table had been gazetted.

According to the Opposition spokesman, the absence of a transport policy has resulted in an unprecedented situation where commuters, including schoolchildren, could pay one fare for a journey in the morning and a higher fare for the return trip later in the day. He said this has never happened before in the history of public passenger vehicle services in Jamaica.

Phillips said the Government appeared to be making transport decisions without a clear framework, forcing operators and commuters to navigate uncertainty.

He noted that during his recent sectoral presentation, he proposed that fare-setting responsibilities be assigned to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR). He added that he intends to seek legal advice regarding the Government’s approach to implementing the fare increase.

The Opposition spokesman also questioned how operators were expected to apply the 16 per cent increase in phases beginning June 2 and July 1 without an official fare table outlining the new rates. He said the Government must tell the country the new fares to be charged.

Phillips further dismissed the staggered increase as “pure gimmickery”, arguing that it creates confusion for commuters and operators alike.

“Crawling fare increases only bring more hardship,” he said.

The Opposition spokesman also wants to know whether the Government had done an impact assessment of the new fares on travel cost in both the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region and rural areas.