More on toll roads
increase their rates,” Laing told Auto.
The rates on the eastwest leg is seeing a increase between $10 and $30.
For the average Class 1 vehicle, the cost of travelling the May Pen leg was increased from $120 to $130; Spanish Town, from $170 to $190; Portmore, from $240 to $260; and, the Vineyards rate increasing from$480 to $510.
Class 2 vehicles travelling the same routes will pay $220 (May Pen); Spanish Town, $290; Portmore, $420; and Vineyards, $750.
Class 3 vehicles (buses and trucks) will pay $440 on the May Pen leg; $790 on the Portmore leg; $530 to Spanish Town; and $1,400 through the Vineyards.
North-south toll rates from Caymanas to Ocho Rios varies from $200 to $1,400 for Class 1 vehicles; $350 to $2,600 for Class 2 vehicles; and from $600 to $4,200 for Class 3 vehicles. Motorcycles pay $100 to $700 per stop on the same route.
The Tolling Policy Agreement, as outlined in the Concession Agreements, provides that the concessionaires may apply for an annual increase in toll tariffs. It should be noted that the publication of the notices of intention to amend the Highway
2000 (North-south Link)
Toll Order, 2014 and the Highway 2000 (Part of
Phase 1) Toll Order, 2006 to provide for a variation in the toll rates was in keeping with the Government’s obligation under the Concession Agreements.
The operators of both legs of the toll roads submitted their applications to vary the toll, as stipulated under the agreements. However, they both indicated that the new rates, which ordinarily would have taken effect in July, would not be implemented at that time due to the pandemic.
The ministry say that, in the meantime, it continued to receive feedback, as it invited in the notice, and also pointed out that many of the comments received were focused on the timing of the increase, which highlighted the need for further clarification to be provided to the public, who may not have read the notices in their entirety.
The ministry said it was committed, as stated in the notices, to notify the public through the toll operators, before the new rates were implemented.
“The published rates represent the maximum that may be charged, but it is at the discretion of the operator to apply discounts as they have customarily done,” it noted.
The ministry said it collected all further input and feedbacks, which are normally reviewed and considered in the final decisions regarding applications of new rates.