How heavy the bell tolls – Proposed Toll charges!
Author : teriannDo you like travelling to around the island as much as I do?
I love being away from the hustle and bustle of town to the relaxing sound of waves crashing against the shore. There is a more laid back atmosphere as you travel through the cool hills and small communities dotted all across the island.
Of course the one thing about travelling that I dislike has always been the state of the roads. The cars usually groaned as they endured craters in the road that drivers had to utilize skill to navigate. There has been many a front and rear end that credits their replacement due to the collection of stones and asphalt masquerading as a road.
If there was bad weather you could be stuck for hours and there was a chance that you had to cancel your trip altogether as the roads could become impassable. The time lost spent on travelling was compounded by the limited availability of alternative routes.
Solution
The solution to our travel woes seemed to be the introduction of toll roads. Smooth surface with wide lanes, the toll roads provided commuters with alternative routes that made the journey quickly and with less damage on their vehicles.
What issues though have arisen since the use of toll roads?
Well the main one, apart from speeding is the cost to use the roads. Recently the Toll Authority has published the proposed rates for the North-South link of Highway 2000 which runs from Caymanas in St Catherine to Ocho Rios/Mammee Bay, St Ann.
What are the new rates?
Angels to Caymanas
Class One: $180
Class Two: $350
Class Three: $520
Class Four: $80
Linstead to Caymanas
Class One: $500
Class Two: $1,000
Class Three: $1,500
Class Four: $250
Unity Valley to Caymanas
Class One: $800
Class Two: $1,600
Class Three: $2,450
Class Four: $400
Lydford to Caymanas
Class One: $1,000
Class Two: $1,980
Class Three: $2,980
Class Four: $500
Ocho Rios to Caymanas
Class One: $1,220
Class Two: $2,450
Class Three: $3,700
Class Four: $600
Opposition to prices
Some have expressed strong opposition to the proposed prices and discussions with the public are underway. There are alternative routes however, so if the prices remain at their high rate at least consumers will still be able to move around the island.
My take is that if they can’t lower the prices, what about trying to fix the roads on the alternate route so that consumers have a viable option on the ‘free road’. Incidentally I have driven on the recently completed highway and it was an enjoyable experience.
If I had to return to the old route, which financial constraints might make necessary it will be akin to living in two storey house and then having to move back in a one room again!
So what’s your take on the issue? Let me hear from you!
Teri Ann Paisley
Gleaner online writer
Update: The toll charges have been reduced by 25%.
For example drivers of Class 3 vehicles travelling from Caymanas in St Catherine to Mammee Bay, St Ann, or vice versa, will now pay $2,775. While drivers of Class 2 vehicles will pay $1837.50 and Class 1 $915.
Tags: toll road
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4 Responses to “How heavy the bell tolls – Proposed Toll charges!”
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Sad to say but Jamaica lack proper vision (leadership)in many ways. Sticking to subject:
I for one, from the first leg of the original H/Way 2000 was built I discovered there was not enough exit`s/entrances, that been the case, lots of would be users are simply not able to access the H/Way
added to that the price of using the road is
way too high. The price should be set using a
study of all the overhead cost including maintenance taking
into consideration the more traffic the more wear on the road, but also a greater intake of revenue due to a more attractive cost to the traveling public. Oh one other thing while it would be impossible to employ the likes of American road builders it would be nice if they
would be consultants/designers in any feature
addition to the road network. After all America
was the first country in the world to develop and build a modern H/Way network under President Dwight Eisenhower. I wish the good people of Jamaica safe driving and lots of courtesy to fellow road users, locals and visitors alike. Looking forward to using these roads on my visit this summer.
God bless The Gleaner as they strive to build
a better Jamaica.
Hey A. Taylor,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the issue! Continue visiting the site and reading the Gleaner!
Regards,
Teri Ann
Greetings Teriann, also a big thank you is perfectly in order. So as to keep the conversation
going, there is one other subject that is dear to my heart: I would give my all if only my fellow
Jamaicans would start evolving when it comes to
decency, respect especially for human life, not
to mention honesty/trust. I am in no way a sociologist nor can I read into anyone`s mind
but in my humble opinion it all starts with love,
loving of self and of others. If you have love I
sincerely believe that most if not all ethics will fall in place and that will help in creating good citizens. I have given up on the politicians long ago, all we seems to have left is the teachers and the media. Did I say the media?, well as for the media I can only speak of what I read via the internet but if the local radio/television journalism is any indicator of some of what Jamaicans would refer to as hurry come up then, I weep for my country. I am not here to bash anyone however when I read some of the bias which only serve to divide the masses, I am 100% sure if enough time was devoted to more friendly headlines,
more gently jargon in the way reporting is done we would see a definite pay off in the attitude of the common man and woman especially the young. One other thing yes, it is both good and wise to treat strangers with the utmost hospitality regardless of who they are but do not forget that courtesy begins at home. Growing up in Jamaica I used to shun those who would greet me with “love” because I always think how comes we have so much love to boot and at the same time we do not think for a second hurting our so called brothers and sisters over trivial things. In closing remember: If you possess love you will not hurt by stealing, lying, raping, envying and murdering, all the above adds up to being dishonest and even worst. I hope and trust one of these days, very soon Jamaica will be a more welcoming place for all her children at home and abroad, for one thing if it was it could not hold us on those big home coming which of course is good for the economy of any country.
Love you Jamaica,
love you Gleaner.
Hey Audley,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! I enjoyed reading your thoughts, keep visiting the site and reading the Gleaner!
Regards,
Teri Ann