‘We have no choice’

Like those in other sections of the island, commuters in Portland and St Mary are having to dig deeper into their pockets to pay higher rates by taxi operators in breach of Transport Authority regulations.

A Sunday Gleaner undercover probe has found that taxi operators are charging $190 for adult fares from Buff Bay, Portland, to Annotto Bay, St Mary, which is above the regulated fee of $155. In fact, in some instances, commuters were being charged $200 for the trip.

On the 20 trips on two routes the investigative team travelled during our probe, all operators overcharged the passengers.

On the Port Antonio to Boston route in Portland, adults were charged $200 for taxi fares, which should be $165, according to the Transport Authority.

With very limited options in public transportation for the residents of both northeastern parishes, they say they have little option but to pay the illegal fares.

“What are we going to do about it?” one commuter asked. “We have no choice.”

It was also observed that students were charged $100 to travel the Buff Bay to Annotto Bay route, as well as the Port Antonio to Boston route. According to the Transport Authority regulations, children, students in uniform, the physically disabled and senior citizens should pay half the fare set by the authority for each of its routes.

The taxi operators, who are calling for a fare increase, say rising gas prices have forced them to mark up the fares.

editorial@gleanerjm.com