Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
DESPITE THREATS of a boycott and the impassioned pleas from residents of Portmore for a $30-base toll for motorists using Highway 2000, indications are that the fee will likely be higher than $40.
Minister of Housing, Water, Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, hinted at this in response to questions from the Opposition in Parliament, on Tuesday. Making his contribution to the sectoral debate, Minister Pickersgill argued that contrary to sharp criticisms that the Government failed to divulge the capped rate prior to last month's announcement, a supplement that was issued more than four years ago contained the information.
"I went back and checked and this supplement dated April 10, 2002 (which) was in all the newspapers at great cost. The initial toll is estimated at $45 one way. That was in 2002," he said.
In response to questions from the Opposition benches that the U.S. dollar is stronger now, Mr. Pickersgill said, "Precisely, so that's why I said it cannot be $45."
INFLATION
"The rate there is annexed to the U.S. dollar so it is now what it is plus the inflation for the year, which brings it to the capped toll," he said in explanation of the $79 capped rate announced recently.
A member of the Opposition charged that the document that was tabled in the House said $45 without specifically stating one way. This was a point the minister could not combat conceding that he did not have that particular document on hand.
After being pressed by members of the Opposition to release the toll, a dodging Minister Pickersgill insisted that the announcement would be made on July 7, which is less than a week before the toll road is scheduled to be opened on July 13.
UNPRECEDENTED SUBMISSIONS
Minister Pickersgill said that the seven-day window allotted to the public under the notice of intention to make a toll order, which appeared in the daily newspapers, last Tuesday, closed this Tuesday. He said that the Toll Authority received an unprecedented 104 submissions. He said that while 76 of the submissions received suggested toll levels, 28 of them did the contrary.
"We are evaluating them, and as I have indicated on Friday the 7th, the Government will be announcing what the toll will be."
At the same time, in a move of solidarity, the All Hellshire Leadership Council joined the call for a toll of $30 for first class vehicles using the Portmore leg of Highway 2000.
Additionally, the council proposed toll rates of $70 and $150 for second and third class vehicles respectively.
The All Hellshire Leadership Council unequivocally stated that it was in "solidarity with the Portmore Citizens Advisory Council in representing residents of Hellshire in the toll matter".
