Many motorists have obviously decided to boycott Highway 2000 since the last increase in toll fees in July.

The toll fees were increased by between 16.6 and 66 per cent as part of the agreement which allows the operators of the highway to adjust rates to reflect inflation and changes in the value of the Jamaican dollar.

Immediately after the increase, some motorists, particularly those who live in Portmore, St Catherine, claimed that it was becoming too expensive to travel on the highway and switched to the alternative route.

While the operators claimed this would be a temporary shift, the latest figures show a 10 per cent decline in motorists using the highway when compared to last year.

Earnings not affected

According to Ivan Anderson, managing director of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC), however, the decline has not affected the earnings, which have increased, leaving the operators in a better financial position.

"Actually, we have no further subsidies on the highway so the taxpayers are not paying any subsidies on the operation of the highway," Anderson told the Public Administrations and Appropriations Committee of Parliament yesterday.

Despite the improved finances, Anderson said it would be about 2014 before Highway 2000 begins to return sufficient profits.

Before that date, it is expected that the 20 kilometres of Highway 2000 to bypass Mount Rosser and ending near Moneague in St Ann would be completed while work should be well under way on the section of the highway from Four Paths to Sandy Bay, Clarendon.