President of the Jamaica Association of Hackney Carriage, Willard Costley, yesterday said commuters could rest assured that members of the association would not be seeking an increase in fares at this time, despite the recent imposition of a tax on petrol.

"We will not be passing on this gas price increase to our clients and any member who actually does so will not get the backing of the association," Costley told The Gleaner yesterday.

He said the decision was taken in light of the tax-concession agreement the association had struck with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service in January.

"Based on the kind of consideration that the tax department, through the Ministry of Finance, granted us, we believe that we should also pass on some of that to our clients," Costley said.

Locked in meetings

Members of the various taxi associations across the island were locked in meetings on the weekend to discuss the implications of the additional $8.75 levy to be collected on each litre of petrol.

Michael Morgan of the National Association of Taxi Operators said he has been meeting with members of his association to ensure that there are no illegal protests. He, however, said taxi operators were concerned that they would not be able to absorb the costs associated with the tax and would be lobbying for an increase.

The members should have an opportunity to raise their concerns with Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry on Tuesday as he is slated to attend a series of meetings with various stakeholders in the public transportation sector.

A release from the Ministry of Transport and Works said the minister is expected to give a detailed outline of the rationale behind the implementation of the cess on public-passenger vehicle operators during the meetings, which are set to begin tomorrow morning.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com