Left: Motorists inch their way through heavy traffic in Old Harbour yesterday.   Right: A shot of the Bushy Park segment of Highway 2000 yesterday shows an almost empty road while the town of Old Harbour experienced traffic congestion. - photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator

HEAVY TRAFFIC congestion has once again become a feature of the town of Old Harbour in St. Catherine, with many motorists contending that they have been forced off Highway 2000 by the increased toll rates. But, vendors are welcoming the return of their customers, claiming that business has started to flourish yet again.

On April 7, toll rates at the Vineyard Plaza in Clarendon were increased with motorists paying $190 for class-one vehicles (motor cars), up from $180; the fees for class-two vehicles (SUVs) jumped from $230 to $250, while class-three vehicles, including trucks and buses, were required to pay $30 more moving from $450 to $480.

Several motorists interviewed by The Gleaner complained about the toll hike, arguing that despite traffic problems, they would rather use the town than to pay the higher toll fee.

Motorists' cries

Sinclair, a truck driver, said he makes two trips each day to Mandeville, which cost $1,800 per day using the highway. Since the increased toll rate, Sinclair said he has had to reduce the number of trips on the toll road.

Randall Reid, a motorist, told The Gleaner that the toll road was not for the poor, adding that it was costing him $360 per day to use the facility. "I can't afford it (toll) this is not for the poor man," he insisted.

"It's too expensive. I think they need to drop the price of the toll and let more people use the toll and make more money from the toll," said Edith Hamilton, another motorist.

Bright prospects for vendors

Producing a package of receipts collected from toll agents, Bryan, the only motorist who expressed no objection to the higher toll rates, said he used the highway on a daily basis. Bryan said he was passing through the town because he had to conduct business in Old Harbour.

However, while the toll hike was hitting the pockets of motorists, some vendors in Old Harbour see bright prospects for their trade.

Chris, a donut vendor, said the introduction of Highway 2000 had severely dented his business, but with the increased toll rates earlier this month, a buzz of activity was returning to the area, and business has started to improve.

"Some of the drivers say them use them money and buy lunch ... because the toll too high," he said.

A fried fish vendor said things have started "to pick up now", since more vehicles are returning to the town.

Sergeant Sheriff of the Old Harbour Police Station said he has observed a significant increase in the number of heavy-duty vehicles now travelling through the town, adding that this has contributed to the traffic pile-up affecting the area.

It was reported last week that TransJamaican Highway, operators of the toll road, has not reached its targeted traffic flow on the two completed highways.