Tyrone Reid and Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writers
Left: PICKERSGILL. Right: The toll plaza along the Portmore leg of Highway 2000.icial close to the Government told The Gleaner yesterday that the toll would be set at $50. - ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR.
AS THE time draws nigh for the announcement of the toll rates for the Portmore leg of Highway 2000, already bubbling tension over the looming rates has intensified with threats of a total boycott.
While councillors from the Portmore Municipal Council voted five to four to accept a toll of $50 for Class One vehicles, and the same percentage across the board for the rest of the classes when the toll comes into effect next month, the Portmore Citizens' Advisory Council (PCAC) threatened that any price above $30 would result in a boycott of the toll road.
At the same time, a senior official close to the Government told The Gleaner yesterday that the toll would be set at $50.
Earlier this year, the Portmore advisory council hinted at a boycott if Robert Pickersgill, the Minister of Housing, Transport and Works, did not meet with them as he was instructed by former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, to hammer out issues relating to improvement of roads in and around the Sunshine City.
PCAC chairperson Yvonne McCormack told The Gleaner that the possibility of a boycott has evolved into a serious threat. She insisted that $50 was too much to ask and that residents of Portmore are adamant that their figure is non-negotiable.
"We are asking for $30, if we don't get it we will boycott the toll," Ms. McCormack emphasised. She stressed that the residents have unequivocally stated that they are prepared to use Mandela Highway and brave the traffic when the heavy season returns on the reopening of schools in September.
Earlier this week, Minister Pickersgill announced that he would be publicizing the toll rates next week Friday, July 7, which is less than a week before the toll road is slated to open on July 13.
The notice of intention to make a toll order was published in newspapers on Tuesday announcing the toll cap and inviting comments. Members of the public have been allotted seven days to make their submissions, which will end on July 4.
Joan Fletcher, toll administrator and CEO of the Toll Authority, disclosed that her administration was currently sorting the applications they have already received. However, she was unable to provide the figures.
