Transport ministry to receive fare increase proposal

The Ministry of Transport is today expected to receive the recommendations for rural bus fare increases from the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR).



Transport Minister Mike Henry said the recommendations would be reviewed and a proposal taken to cabinet shortly.



He said once the proposal is taken to cabinet, he expects the process to be completed within two weeks.



Several bus operators across the island have been protesting against the government’s decision not to grant them an increase although an increase was given to route taxi operators.



Mr. Henry said the formal application for a fare increase for the rural bus operators came in much later than the application from route taxi operators.



The transport minister said no increase would be granted to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), as the bus company submitted no application for an increase to his ministry.



Mr. Henry said a proposal from the chartered taxi operators was still being looked at, as they too had submitted a late application.