EFFECTIVE MONDAY, commuters using route taxis and rural buses will pay increased fares.
The 33 to 35 per cent fare hike was announced yesterday by Robert Pickersgill, Minister of Transport and Works, at a press conference at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston.
Adults will pay an additional $35 and children $25 more, plus an additional $2 per kilometre.
Rural bus operators have been given a base increase of $13.50, plus an additional $1.80 per kilometre, a 35 per cent increase. Children under 12 years old, students in uniform, persons with disabilities and pensioners will pay half rate.
EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS
According to Minister Pickersgill, "the fare adjustments come against the background of extensive discussions with the operators and consultations with the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and the Transport Authority". He said that based on the consultations with these entities, "this level of increase should improve their economic viability".
The new fare increase for taxis and rural bus operators has come one month after the state-run Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) was granted an average 45 per cent increase in fares by the Government.
Mr. Pickersgill also announced a number of changes for the taxi trade. These measures, he said, have been devised to assist in protecting commuters and in the interest of legal operators by eliminating persons with criminal records or excessive traffic violations.
"There have been far too many instances of accidents, resulting in the death or injury to passengers, as well as crimes of the most heinous nature committed against passengers, especially our women," he lamented.
As a consequence, Mr. Pickersgill said all drivers and conductors will be required to wear badges and identification cards. And effective November 1, applicants for badges and identification cards will be required to submit at least two recommendations from a school principal, police officer not below the rank of an inspector or a Minister of Religion.
Also, a copy of birth certificate, medical report and two passport sized photographs, signed by a Justice of the Peace, police officer, attorney-at-law or Minister of Religion must be submitted. They will also be required to submit a copy of criminal, driving offences and security sensitivity records.
ON PAR
The Minister emphasised that the new regulations were part of efforts to bring the island's taxi service on par with their counterparts in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
In the meantime, the Minister gave notice that the Government will be announcing soon a new slate of measures aimed at wiping out the illegal taxi business. He warned that this will be strictly enforced. He also urged commuters not to travel on robot taxis.
Egeton Newman, general secretary of the National Association of Taxi Operators, which represents 8,000 licensed taxi operators islandwide, described the Minister's announcement as a positive one. "We were looking for a 45 per cent increase, (but) we have received a 33 to 35 per cent increase and we are very happy for that," he said.
