Proposed North-South Highway Tolls Put Caymanas-Ocho Rios Return Trip at $5,220

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A return journey along the entire Highway 2000 North-South Link could cost Class 1 motorists $5,220 under revised toll limits proposed by the Government on Thursday.

The Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications has put forward a maximum charge of $2,610 in each direction between Caymanas and Ocho Rios. That represents a $115 increase, or about 4.6 per cent, over the $2,495 toll implemented last year.

Under the proposal, a one-way trip over the same distance would cost $5,220 for Class 2 vehicles. Class 3 vehicles, which include larger trucks, would attract a charge of $7,830 in either direction, bringing their return-trip cost to $15,660.

Motorcycles and other vehicles placed in Class 4 would face a proposed toll of $1,305 each way for the full Caymanas-to-Ocho Rios journey.

Several shorter Class 1 trips would also carry adjusted maximum rates. The proposed charge from Angels to Ocho Rios is $2,280, while motorists travelling from Linstead to Ocho Rios would pay $1,575. The Unity Valley-to-Ocho Rios toll is proposed at $945, and the journey from Lydford to Ocho Rios would cost $540.

Publication of the proposed changes followed an application by Jamaica North South Highway Company Limited for its yearly toll-tariff adjustment.

The highway operator is permitted to seek an increase annually under its concession agreement with the State-owned National Road Operating and Constructing Company.

The ministry plans to revise the Highway 2000 North-South Link Toll Order to change the amounts charged across the vehicle categories.

However, the published figures represent proposed ceilings and have not been confirmed as the tolls that motorists will ultimately pay. No date for introducing the new charges was provided in the notice.

The public and interested organisations have five days after the notice's publication to lodge comments or objections with the Toll Authority. Responses can be emailed to [email protected] or delivered to the authority at 11a-15 Oxford Road, Kingston.