Public outcry regarding recently published Jamaican Hwy toll rates

It has been my long considered view that it makes no sense constructing the loveliest hi way and consumers cannot afford to use it because it is too expensive.

North Coast Hi Way

The proposed rates are too high and could be a deterrent to frequent use. The rates should be about 50 percent of those proposed.

For class 1 (cars) $600 for entire trip from Caymanas to Drax Hall.
Also Rav 4, Suzuki Vitaras etc (small SUVs)
Suv- (big) $800- eg. Bighorn, Prado, and big vans like Tundra etc,

TRUCKS- $1000 Caymanas to Drax Hall.

Individual legs (class 1 $250 per leg.

Trucks $350 per leg …

Trailers (long) $1500 Caymanas to Drax Hall

Trailer (long) $450 per leg

Motorists must be able to afford the hi way. I need to visit St Ann regularly. Work related and otherwise.

We hope you will adjust accordingly … the roadway is good. Also make speed limit 110 km/h.

There has been public outcry regarding recently published toll rates. Vision’s SIC wrote to the TOLL AUTHORITIES protesting the exorbitant rates. (See attached letter).

We have long been publishing pictures of the toll road. We have not just been jumping on any bandwagon due to public outcry. These points raised in my attached letter were raised before and posted in Vision both online and in print. We did not make any recommendations re rates before, but suggested that the rates should be affordable to allow for frequent usage.

Jamaica entered into a “Concession Agreement” which legally binds us for 50 years. The builder of the hi way owns same until payment is completed. These agreements are negotiated in secret and (agreements) are not made public. We hope this agreement will be renegotiated with more favourable terms. The last thing we want is to have this black and white elephant (hi way) that is underutilized because motorists cannot afford same.

Minister Mike Henry, Transport Minister promised in a public statement: “I will meet with the powers that be to have discussions … ” he disclosed the 50 year time span of the closely guarded “secret” agreement negotiated by the then PNP government.

The toll authority board is appointed by the Transport Minister of the government in power. The Concessionaire is the Chinese who built the hi way.

We will publish the proposed rates later in Vision Newspaper when information comes to our hands.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.

Foot Note

This agreement may have partially been negotiated by a previous JLP Government. We are not sure. We will give you more facts as we get them. The final agreement would have been under the PNP.