This time it is the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) which is warning of protest action against the tax package which includes a hike in the price that motorists will pay at the gas pumps.

"This is a heartless and uncaring move by the government and will not be taken lightly by the island's over 27,000 public passenger transport operators," said Louis Barton, president of JATOO.

He said the transport authorities were shocked by the government's decision to increase the tax on numerous items, including gas, "which is the life blood for the public transportation industry".

"The IMF demands seem to be against growing the Jamaican economy. Rather, it is a debt collection effort imposed on the Jamaican people. This one will not go down without a fight," Barton added.

He argued that transport operators have been suffering for sometime without a fare increase.

No fare increase

"We asked for a fare increase in March of 2009. The Office of Utility Regulation recommended an amount, yet we have not received that recommended increase."

The JATOO president has also raised questions about the special road maintenance fund established by the government in April.

This fund is being financed by a portion of the increase in the Special Consumption Tax on gas which was introduced by the government at the start of this fiscal year.

He said JATOO will be holding an emergency meeting of all members tomorrow before meeting with other micro and small business operators to "seek a unified position on the new budget".