The people of St Ann and of the North Coast in general, including motorists from Montego Bay, are facing proposed toll charges that are excessive, even compared to the toll on the orginal east-west Highway 2000.
As the toll proposal stand, if you intend to use the full length of the highway from Mammee Bay to Caymanas, you will be required to pay ONE WAY $1,220 if you drive a typical motorcar or small SUV, so called class one vehicle. If you drive a large SUV and some of the higher pick-ups, small truck or small minibus you will pay $2,450 and if you drive a truck or bus you will pay $3,700. All those are one way.
So if you work in Kingston and drive back and forth five days a week using your car the cost per week would be $12,200 for the total if the rates remain as proposed. If you drive a larger size SUV or pick up, your cost for using the toll would be $24,500 a week. None of that includes fuel or other costs involved in using a vehicle
We at the North Coast Times want to hear your views about the proposed toll rates. Send to our facebook page or at instagram or whatsapp at 835-5486 or email to editorial@northcoasttimesja.com
Even more important we want you to send your comments to the Toll Authority. You have until next week Monday, march 21, to call, send email or letter to them.
Members of the public have until next Monday, March 21 to submit in writing their views on the proposed toll charges for different legs of the 66-kilometre highway.
The submissions should be sent to the Toll Authority with offices at 11a-15 Oxford Road, Third Floor, Kingston 5; email tollauthority@mtwh.gov.jm.
You may also call: 929-5119 or 1-888-991 toll-free or fax 929-1612.
The Toll Authority has published the proposed rates for the North-South link of Highway 2000 which runs from Caymanas in St Catherine to Ocho Rios/Mammee Bay, St Ann
SEE SOME OF THE PROPOSED RATES BELOW:
Angels to Caymanas
Class One: $180
Class Two: $350
Class Three: $520
Class Four: $80
Linstead to Caymanas
Class One: $500
Class Two: $1,000
Class Three: $1,500
Class Four: $250
Unity Valley to Caymanas
Class One: $800
Class Two: $1,600
Class Three: $2,450
Class Four: $400
Lydford to Caymanas
Class One: $1,000
Class Two: $1,980
Class Three: $2,980
Class Four: $500
Ocho Rios to Caymanas
Class One: $1,220
Class Two: $2,450
Class Three: $3,700
Class Four: $600
