While the operators of Highway 2000 TransJamaican Highway Limited, await Government's consent to an increase in toll charges on the multi-lane highway, community leaders in Portmore, St. Catherine want Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to put a 24-month freeze on the application.

The revelation of TransJamaican's application for an increase in toll charges has incensed the residents of the dormitory municipality who are still grappling with traffic congestion en route to the capital city, despite promises that the problem would have been eased with the construction of the toll highway.

Motorists are currently charged between $60 and $200 each way to traverse the six-lane roadway to and from Portmore, depending on the size vehicle, and have the option of getting discounts with increased use.

As part of the terms of their contract, the toll operator has the option to apply for a review of toll rates every six months.

Rate of the increase

Leo McEwan, public relations officer in the Ministry of Housing, Transport, Water and Works, said TransJamaican Highway has applied for a toll increase for all three segments of Highway 2000, which stretches from Ferry, St. Catherine to Sandy Bay, Clarendon and across to Portmore into Kingston. He said the toll regulator has reviewed the application which was made last November and has submitted it to the Minister, Robert Pickersgill, for him to make the final decision. It is uncertain when the Minister is likely to make that decision. Mr. McEwan said he could not ascertain the rate of the increase that has been requested by the toll operator.

Petition

But in a petition being prepared to be sent to Prime Minister Simpson Miller by the first week of February, the citizens are requesting that she place a 24-month freeze on the application and even lower the current toll charges. They argued in a release issued to the media Wednesday, that the toll was already "burdensome for motorists leaving and entering the dormitory community at least five days per week".

Byron Buckley, spokesman for the coalition of Portmore lobby groups, said he was uncertain as to how effective the petition would be, but said "We hope that the Prime Minister will be democratic and listen to the people's voice."