BRIEFS
Published: Monday | November 16, 2009
The Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) has rejected the proposed 17.5 per cent fare increase for route-taxi operators. The Office of Utilities Regulation has recommended that the base fare for route taxis be moved by $10 to $65 for the first two kilometres, and $4 for each additional kilometre. JATOO called the proposal an insult to the public-passenger transportation industry and called for an immediate review. JATOO will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. today at the offices of the Portmore Route Taxi Offices in Dunbeholden, Portmore, to address the issue. As passport fees are set to take a predicted jump today, an appeal by Resource Group Seven, a self-declared and autonomous People's National Party support group, to extend the old rates has been snubbed by the Government. In a press release yesterday, the group said it sent a letter to permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Major Richard Reese, on Friday, petitioning an extension based on the short notification of the fee hike. When The Gleaner contacted Reese, he said that while he had not received the letter, there would be no extension. "Come Monday, the new rates will apply," he said.
