THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE PORTMORE leg of Highway 2000 is scheduled for completion in July 2006. In order to maximise their expected revenue from Portmore residents there was a recent toll hike of 8.25 per cent at existing toll plazas at the Vineyards and Spanish Town. What this means to the average motorist using the causeway is not clear, since no one is willing to disclose what the cost to use the highway will be. We therefore have to refer to the concession agreement to guide us.
According to Schedule 15 that deals with Tolling Policy, the Portmore leg of Highway 2000 will be operated as an 'open system', whereby a fixed toll is levied whenever a vehicle passes through a toll barrier, irrespective of the use made by the vehicle of the toll road. In other words, the cost per usage has nothing to do with distance travelled. It's a revenue earning policy that will extract from users the maximum, and will only be applicable to the Portmore leg.
Residents/users must also be aware that under this 'open system', the Initial Toll Level will be $45.10, subject to allowed escalatory factors such as the national inflation and exchange rates. On this basis the toll charge for the Portmore leg of Highway 2000 will not be less than $50, and it is expected that on completion of the project, the toll charge will be above $50.
The investors/developers are taking no chance with the Portmore leg as their success depends on our support. They are not willing to commit to any more construction unless success in Portmore is realised. The much sought after improvements to the suitable alternative, Mandela Highway, will not occur any time soon, as any upgrading that will affect the number of vehicles using the Portmore leg will leave the Government owing the developers a compensated amount equivalent to lost revenues.
This must not be allowed. The views of the residents of Portmore must be taken into consideration, and it should not be before a sitting convened by the Toll Regulator, to discuss the toll charge put forward by the developers. The Government has a responsibility to protect its citizens in situations where they are being exploited for profits.
I am, etc.,
HOWARD HAMILTON
hammo4toll@yahoo.com
8 Logwood Place
Portmore Pines
St. Catherine
