Public Passenger Fares to Increase by 19 Per Cent Tomorrow!

In a recent announcement, the Jamaican Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, revealed a 19 percent increase in public passenger fares, set to take effect this Sunday, October 15, 2023.

This news came during a statement delivered to the House of Representatives in which Minister Vaz explained the reasoning behind the fare adjustment.

The decision follows a thorough evaluation by a subcommittee of the Public Transport Operators Steering Committee.

This proposal was subsequently presented to the Cabinet and was approved, leading to the scheduled 19 percent fare increase.

Moreover, the increase will be accompanied by an additional 16 percent hike in passenger fares effective April 2024.

According to Minister Vaz, this move takes into account the inflationary impact of transportation. 

Minister Vaz also highlighted that a 25 percent fare increase was approved in 2021, although only 15 percent was implemented at the time. The forthcoming 16 percent increase can be seen as a means of phasing in that remaining 10 percent.

However, Minister Vaz emphasised that this initiative is not solely about fare increases.

The Public Transport Operators Steering Committee is actively assessing various operational challenges within the transportation sector, with the collective goal of addressing critical issues affecting public transportation.

These challenges include the deplorable state of transportation infrastructure across the island, concerns related to enforcement, and issues pertaining to road markings and signage.

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