Jamaica Transport Operators Slammed With 'Highway Robbery' Toll Rate Hike

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Noel Williams, president of the Kingston Chapter of Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) Tours, has slammed the government's proposed toll road rate hike as 'highway robbery.' The new rates, which take effect at the end of the month, will see motorists paying up to $7,830 per trip for large trucks, with smaller vehicles facing similar increases.

Williams made the statement at a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Transport and the Toll Authority of Jamaica, who failed to show up despite being invited. Williams expressed that many operators already find it difficult to pay fees for certain categories of vehicles on the toll and cannot manage any upward adjustment at this time.

JUTA representatives, in collaboration with Jamaica Cooperative Automobile & Limousine (JCAL) Tours Limited and other transport organisations, gathered at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston to share pressing concerns. However, despite being invited, there were no representatives from either group.

The proposed toll fees affecting motorists using the North-South Highway are expected to take effect at the end of the month. The Government has published the proposed new rates with a capped toll of $2,610 each way for Class 1 vehicles. Operators of Class 2 vehicles would pay $5,220 one way, while the proposed toll for Class 3 vehicles, including larger trucks, is $7,830.

'I think this is highway robbery by the Toll Authority, and the Government sits there completely complacent and they do nothing about it,' Williams said. 'We are saying to the Government and the Toll Authority, that we cannot any longer absorb this toll increase, because we are of the opinion that this is the most expensive toll anywhere in the world.'

Williams lamented that those operators who opt to take the alternative route from Kingston to St Ann cannot do so because those roads are deplorable. He appealed to the Government to have these alternative routes fixed.

Williams also expressed concerns about the lack of representation from the Ministry of Transport and the Toll Authority of Jamaica. 'We sent letters to the Toll Authority about another bus we have in the system, which is the new type of Hiace bus,' he said. 'It has a longer front than the older one, and hence when these buses go to the toll, they have to pay the same money as what the coaster pays.'

Lorraine 'Oscar' Finnikin, president of the All Voice Taxi Association, was among transport association heads present at the meeting. Finnikin expressed solidarity with JUTA, saying that transport operators are struggling to keep up with the rising costs. 'There are a lot of overhead expenses facing the public passenger vehicle sector,' he said. 'One is the cost of gas due to the situation in the Middle East, then there are overall expenses through maintenance, operational costs and service parts.'

The Jamaica government has been under pressure to reduce fuel prices, with transport operators calling for a reduction in the current rates. The proposed toll hike has sparked widespread outrage among transport operators and the public, with many calling for a review of the government's toll policies.

The proposed toll hike is expected to impact thousands of motorists who use the North-South Highway daily. Transport operators are urging the government to reconsider the proposed toll hike and engage in dialogue to address their concerns. The meeting at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel marked a further escalation of the controversy surrounding the proposed toll hike.

The proposed toll hike has sparked widespread outrage among transport operators and the public, with many calling for a review of the government's toll policies. The Jamaica government has been under pressure to reduce fuel prices, with transport operators calling for a reduction in the current rates.