Review the toll policy
published: Monday | August 25, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE CONTENTS of the full-page advertisement in The Gleaner dated August 18 regarding Notice of Intention to make Toll Order are nothing short of amazing, in two respects:

First, vehicles are categorised by measurement and vague general descriptions, e.g., more/less than 5.5 metres long and more/less than two metres high; small/large sports utility vehicles, some pick-up trucks, etc.

Now this begs the questions, Minister Bobby Pickersgill, is someone going to be at the toll booth with a tape measure? Who then decides in the middle of a traffic jam what is large or small? Why not have just two classes (like everywhere else in the world): one for all cars, station wagons/sports utility vehicles and non-commercial vehicles, and one for all trucks, public passenger and commercial vehicles. This would facilitate easy and expeditious monitoring of vehicles at the toll booth.

Second, notwithstanding the tolling policy contained in the Concession Agreement, why, Minister, would a group of sensible people agree to toll amounts of $55, $110 and $165 with the obvious and predictable change-making horrors this will entail? Surely, the reduced revenue potential from say $50, $100 and $150 would be more than offset by the reduced administrative maladroit which will result from trying to provide change (which we all know to be a difficult prospect at the best of times) while coping with a mile long back-up of traffic.

This won't be Highway 2000, it will be more like Longwait 2000!

I am, etc.,

COLIN D. WHITTINGHAM

P.O. Box 292

Kingston 6

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