Peter EspeutI HAVE returned to Jamaica to find the second section of the new toll road in place, and a hot debate in the media about two issues: the high toll, and the fact that use of the Causeway Bridge will now attract a toll. I would like to comment on these, and to add a few other issues.
Toll roads (and bridges) are commonplace across the world, where the cost of construction (plus interest) is recovered from the users as a sort of user fee. The government borrows the money, and the actual users pay it back directly. The alternative would be for the loan to be repaid from taxes, which means that users and non-users alike would pay, which some might say is unjust. The idea of a toll road, therefore, contains more justice some would say, since only users pay. Highway 2000 is this and more, for in addition to repaying the loan plus interest, the users must also pay enough such that the private operators of the toll road will make a guaranteed profit in U.S. dollars and a substantial profit at that!
GOOD BUSINESS
This is good business if you can get it, for no matter how inefficient you are or how poor the service you offer is, your profit in foreign currency is guaranteed. This is not fair trade or good capitalism. Where is the element of risk? Where is the competition? Where is it that market forces set the price?
MONOPOLY
This toll road operates like a monopoly with price-fixing; the price is fixed, not in relation to the intrinsic value of the service being offered, or in relation to the price of a similar service offered elsewhere, but in relation to the guaranteed rate of profit in U.S. dollars. This is not business; it is a money tree!
I was interested to read in Garth Rattray's column last Monday that the toll rates we are being forced to pay are three and four and five times the rates paid on toll roads in the U.S.A. By his calculation Jamaicans are required to pay U.S. 7.3 cents per kilometre, while users of the Pennsylvania Turnpike pay U.S. 2.6 cents/km, users of the Garden State Park way pay U.S. 1.4 cents/km, users of the Greensburg Bypass pay U.S. 4.8 cents/km, and users of the Ohio Turnpike pay U.S. 2.1 cents/km. Are we so rich that our government puts arrangements in place forcing us to pay multiple times what others in wealthy countries pay? At these rates, what will it cost to travel to Ocho Rios or Montego Bay when all the plans for Highway 2000 are complete? Maybe it will be cheaper to fly!
Again I have to raise the question of quality. I have previously observed that the surface of the French-built side of the Old Harbour Bypass is pitchy-patchy while the surface of the Kuwait-built side is smooth. The reply of the French company was that the road is not yet finished, and will get another coat of asphalt. I wonder when that will happen? But more seriously, why has the south side of one of the French-built bridges on the Old Harbour Bypass been closed to traffic for the last few months? What could be the reason for placing luminous cones to direct traffic away from driving on that side of the bridge? I would like to know the answer to that!
One of the signs on the new section directs motorists to the Norman Manley International Airport on 'T2'. What or where is 'T2'? Some friends of mine on the way to the airport followed the signs, only to have to retrace their steps because the Causeway was closed to traffic in that direction. Why the misleading signs? They should be covered or qualified. I don't know how well thought out the plans for this toll system have been.
VICTORY
I would like to congratulate the residents of the island of Skye off the coast of Scotland. A toll bridge from the mainland across to their island home was built, and private contractors were allowed to charge a toll for its use. For just under ten years the residents have battled with the government and with the private contractors against paying the toll, and finally they have had their victory! Last week (on December 21) the British government gave in and removed the toll charges, allowing the residents free passage to and from their homes. There is still justice in the world! Those who are interested in the details should look at http://www.skat.org.uk/.
Today is just the fifth day of Christmas, so it is still very appropriate to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and all the best for the New Year.
Peter Espeut is a sociologist and is executive director of an environment and development NGO.
