- File
Drivers of route taxis trying to earn as much as possible.
NEARLY ONE week after the fare increases for route taxis took effect, some operators are in limbo over what fare they should charge.
Disgruntled commuters are heading back to the state-operated Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses, leaving the taxi operators to grapple with the decision of whether to charge the increased fare and lose passengers, or stick to regular fares and retain their normal passenger loads.
JUTC officials could not be contacted for comments but the taxi operators said their passengers simply headed for the JUTC buses when they were told the new fares.
'WORK WID IT'
'So operators like "Lennox", who ply the Half-Way Tree to Mountain View route, say they will work with "whatever comes".
"Wi still haffi work wid it, anybody come wid $30 wi tek it and $40 wi tek it," he said.
According to him, the first couple of days into the increase were rough, as there had been a significant decline in the number of persons taking the route taxis. This forced some operators to return to the fares which existed prior to the increases.
The fares were increased from $30 to $40 in some cases, while others ranged from $50 to as much as $100.
Some commuters, in search of cheaper rates for taxi rides, were observed asking around "How much yuh a charge?" before deciding to board the vehicles.
So the taxi operators say they are now using their discretion.
"Wi nuh bodda wid di raise ting some a di time. During peak hour, we might raise di fare, but during other slow periods throughout the day, wi jus work wid the regular price," said one who requested anonymity, and says that he operates in the Three Miles area.
Carlton Watt, another taxi operator (HWT/New Kingston route) in relating his experience since the fare increase, says, "Some of them (passengers) nuh really murmur bout di increase," but there were others who complained that "fare raise, but di pay remain di same."
NO CHOICE
According to some students and other commuters who use route taxis as their main mode of transportation, they want to get to school and work early, and are, therefore, left with no choice but to fork out the money.
One woman who was on her way to work, says "buses and taxis charge the same prices now," and the latter was much more convenient for her.
Attempts to get a report from the Transport Authority on reactions to the recent fare increases were unsuccessful.
The revised fare structure, which was recently announced by Transport and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill, gave the island's 13,000 route taxis an average hike of 33-1/3 per cent. The increases came into effect last Monday.
T. E.
