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TransJamaican Highway pushes T-Tag as cost saver

Published:Sunday | April 28, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Jean-François Doreau (right), managing director of TransJamaican Highway, makes a point to Ivan Anderson (left), managing director of National Road Operating and Constructing Company and Minister of Transport, Works and Housing Omar Davies.

With the economic downturn affecting many road users, Highway 2000 East-West is being touted as the most cost-effective and fuel-efficient alternative to congested roads when plying the Spanish Town/Portmore to Kingston routes daily.

According to Jean-François Doreau, managing director of TransJamaican Highway Limited, "Highway 2000 East-West has clear and simple charges, giving you an easy and stress-free way to reach your destination. Our road is the easiest and most reliable route through St Catherine to Kingston, providing better roads and bypassing the most congested sections of that area."

T-TAG BENEFITS

According to toll officials, paying to use the road is simple and motorists can save money and time with the T-Tag, making the journey as easy as possible. The T-Tag allows motorists to pay a set fee and use the designated lane at tollbooths.

Highway officials say drivers have to balance the cost of using the highway against savings in time and money. They point out that the T-Tag offers rebate plans, based on usage of the toll road. This special rebate applies to the number of trips made within a weekly cycle and no special enrolment is needed to receive the automatic money-back reward. In addition, with a T-Tag, motorists get through the toll lanes quickly and can avoid the time taken at the tollbooth for the cash transaction.

THE PORTMORE LEG

On the Portmore leg, class one tag customers get back $108 after the 10th trip and $22 every trip after. On the Spanish Town leg they get back $75 after the 10th trip and $15 every trip after. Class 2 tag customers get back $82 after the 10th trip and $35 every trip after on the Portmore leg. For the Spanish Town leg they get back $76 after the 10th trip and $23 every trip after.

So, Doreau said, "while there are mixed views about the cost of using the toll roads, more persons are realising real accumulated savings in choosing to commute regularly via the highway. The roadway provides the opportunity to significantly reduce travelling times and fuel costs".