News

Proposed fare hike met with disapproval

By CAROLYN JOHNSON, Staff Reporter

Taxi operators and a JUTC bus in a park in Kingston. - norman grindley

RIDICULOUS. THIS IS the resounding response of the public to the proposed fare increases for the Jamaica Urban Transit Corporation (JUTC) and the National Association of Taxi Operators (NATO).

"Dat a robbery man. Dat a real, real robbery," Garfield Brown angrily told THE STAR.

Citing increases in the prices of fuel, tyres and insurance since 2003, the time of their last fare increase, the JUTC has attempted to justify a fare hike.

The Government-owned company has asked for a 100 per cent increase in adult bus fare within Kingston, and a 50 per cent increase for Portmore and Spanish Town. They are also proposing a 33 per cent increase for concessionary fare paid by the disabled, children and the elderly.

If the increase is granted, passengers will pay $60 instead of $30 from Half-Way-Tree to Cross Roads while the commuters from Spanish Town and Portmore will pay $60 up from $40. The concessionary fare will move from $15 to $20.

Although JUTC has justified the increase, commuters refuse to accept their explanations.

"No. An dem nuh have A/C. An sometimes wen yu tek de bus, yu still affi stan up. Wen yu tek Executive yu get Gleaner, an wen Christmas an so come, yu get a token. JUTC don' do dem tings dere," said Simone Brown, a Portmore resident. The Executive bus system currently charges $60 from Half-Way Tree to Portmore.

Several Portmore residents also said that they were concerned that the fares would again be raised when the toll road was completed. In Kingston, however, the commuters and even one JUTC conductor thought the increase was much too high for a one-stage fare.

'Caan work'

"Dat caan work man. Dem affi go tek $40 man. A wickedness man," said the JUTC conductor.

"A lot a people don't have any job an' when September mawning come dem hav to sen' dem children to school," said Anthony Lawrence, a coaster driver.

While JUTC is still awaiting the Government's response, the Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill will announce his decision for NATO later this week. NATO has asked for a 75 per cent increase in taxi fares.

Following a meeting with NATO on Tuesday, consultant Egerton Newman said that he believed the increase, "would be in the best interests of taxi drivers and consumers."

"We are hoping people understand we must make the increase because of the current climate as with the increase in bus fares," he continued.

The public, however, does not agree. "A stupid people tink say everybody fi increase one time. Dem shouldn't even tink bout increase. Gwaan suck off de money wey JUTC wouda get an gwaan laugh," suggested a commuter, Robert Coore.

He also promised that if the increase were granted there would be riots as a sign of protest. He currently pays $30 from Cross Roads to downtown but may start paying $52.50.

"De people dem nuh get nuh raise a pay so dat nuh soun rite," said a taxi driver who plies the Vineyard Town to downtown route.

However, when asked how he felt about the raise, he shrugged his shoulders and said," if we get it, we tek it."