Member of Parliament for St. Catherine North Central, Natalie Neita Garvey, has raised concern regarding a spike in fares for some St. Catherine residents due to the closure of the Bog Walk Gorge.

The gorge is closed due to landslides which left large boulders and other debris along the roadway.

The National Works Agency has been unable to provide a timeline for the re-opening of the roadway but says work is underway to restore access.

In the interim, Mrs. Neita Garvey is urging the government to temporarily open the north-south toll road to the public.

This would provide relief for citizens facing severe commuting disruptions following tropical storm Rafael.

In a letter to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Mrs. Neita Garvey highlighted the storm’s devastating impact on Jamaica’s already damaged road network.

She said many rural communities, especially in St. Catherine, are struggling to manage daily activities, with blocked roads and worsening conditions complicating their routines.

She emphasized that workers and students who rely on the Bog Walk Gorge for daily transit are facing unsustainable fare hikes — with some fares rising from $200 to $500 each way.

The MP said these extreme fare increases are not only reducing productivity but also preventing students from reaching school as they prepare for their end-of-term exams.

She underscored that opening the toll road to the public, at no cost, would provide crucial support during this challenging period.