JATOO to seek fare increase

One taxi group says it will seek a 40 % fare increase, to help cushion the rising operational costs, including gas prices.

The Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) says it will submit the relevant proposal next week Tuesday, to Transport Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, for a fare increase.

Jatoo's move for a fare increase of between $25 and $30 comes on the heels of a major police clamp-down on taxis, operating between Papine and Half-Way-Tree, in St. Andrew.

The clamp-down intensified, after some taxi operators on the route, started charging increased fares, without  approval.

National Coordinator of Jatoo, Edgeton Newman, says that illegal application of fares on the Papine to Half-Way-Tree route was a mere reaction to the financial hardships, facing taxi operators.

He says, although commuters are also experiencing a tough time, the taxi operators have no choice, but to seek a fare hike, in order to survive.

The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) will play a critical role in any decision regarding the impending proposal, for a fare increase.

Mr. Newman is confident, that the OUR will support the request, based on what he said, is an earlier promise by the country's utility regulator.