By Erica James-King, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE FARE increase which became effective on Monday for commuters using buses in the Montego Bay Metropolitan Transport Region, ST. James falls below the expectations of Montego Bay Metro Company Limited.
Noting that while it understands government's rationale for setting the rates at the new level, the company says the new rates are "not realistic", noting that the old fares were kept at peppercorn rates for over four years.
This is the first time since the buses began carrying adult passengers, just under five years ago, that there has been any hike in the bus fares for that grouping. The fare for children was last increased in 1999, when it was doubled from $5 to $10.
Under ministerial decree, as of yesterday passengers using the bus system in Montego Bay began paying $40 per fare stage, up from $20.
Children, the physically- challenged, pensioners and students now pay $20, up from $10.
NOT REALISTIC
"The fares are not really realistic, if you bear in mind the movement in inflation over the last four years, the high operational costs, the cost of our inputs to keep buses on the routes, a bus fare increase was badly needed," said Anthony Copeland, the general manager of Montego Bay Metro.
Mr. Copeland further contends that "a fare of $90 would be more realistic. However, I can understand that because of economic pressures facing the public, government might not have wanted to burden them with a higher fare increase."
Additionally, Montego Bay Metro says that because of the strong 'taxi-culture' in the resort city, the company is "only getting minimal bus loads" and this situation could negate any positive impact the fare increase might have on the operations of the company.
In the meantime, while bus operators feel the current fare hike leaves much to be desired, scores of commuters have argued that the increase is too much.
