I WAS encouraged by a letter published on Tuesday, September 29, in which a user of the May Pen leg of Highway 2000 lamented the rising cost of using the roadway.

My family uses the Portmore leg, which is now costing a minimum of $10,560 per month, based on a 22-working-day month. Note this does not include any travel outside of the working day. It has now become necessary to re-examine reasons for using the toll road in the first place.

1. Using a facility with affords some level of comfort, well-surfaced roads lovely aesthetics, etc.

2. Cost savings, since the alternative route presents its own challenges of heavy traffic.

3. Saving time, which is probably the most important.

The present circumstances have had a serious effect on these points, however, against the doubling of the toll since its introduction. So, where do we now stand?

We are now prepared to give up Point 1 as a luxury we can ill-afford.

Alternative route

The toll cost is now competing with the value of fuel used for travelling the alternative route, and will soon outstrip any savings we make, as noted in Point 2.

Point 3: There is still the matter of time, which is still beneficial for now, though this is being eroded by the very long lines at the toll booth at peak hours. This is mainly due to the fact that very few persons seem to use the tag system, and the practice of motorists to tender large currency notes which is time-consuming for change, etc. It is also now a major challenge accessing the tag line in peak hours.

I agree with the writer again, that an incentive should be given to persons who use the tag system and this would encourage others to do so. After all, why should we make this outlay of funds with no financial benefits accruing to us? Just imagine the benefits the operators are enjoying from all these advance payments.

Motorists are gradually going back to Mandela Highway, especially when time is not of critical importance, like going home in the evenings and travelling on weekends and off-peak hours, and this number is growing.

I am, etc.,

KEITH A. WALTERS

wallyk51@yahoo.com

Greater Portmore

St Catherine