Egerton Newman, President of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS), says only a few taxi drivers charging an extra “$20” in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region.
His assertion follows concerns by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz that some public passenger operators have increased their fares without government approval, a practise he said was illegal.
Newman also stresses that this act is unlawful and urged the security forces and Transport Authority to address it speedily.
He also questioned suggestions by the Transport Minister to regulate the amount route taxi are able to charge commuters when they request an alternative route, stating that it would be “challenging”.
“We’re going to sit down for weeks and months and cya come to a point in terms of how we’re going to regulate that, it depends on the type of turnoff…most passengers want to go straight to their gate, it depends where that gate it,” he said.
At the same time, Newman said the taxi operators have been clamouring for a fare increase.
In October 2023, the Government announced a 35 per cent fare hike to be introduced in two tranches: 19 per cent at the time of the announcement, and 16 per cent in April 2024.
However, only the first phase was implemented, as concerns grew over the potential impact of higher fares amid already elevated inflation.
Following discussions between government officials and transport association leaders, it was agreed that the second phase would be deferred and revisited in the next fiscal year.
Newman said that taxi operators were hoping that the additional 16 per cent would be granted in November last year, but, according to him, the government has not been forthcoming about it.
“We are asking the government what is the position with the 16 per cent, the operators need it and need it like yesterday. The fact is the government cannot give us a word one it,” he said.
Even so, he said he is not optimistic that any increase will be granted this year.
“You cannot give a fare increase so close to election- it’s all politics. There is no way the Ministry is going to allow that additional 16 per cent at this time, a few months to election,” he said.
-Sashana Small
We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar
