Proposed increase in toll rates on North-South Highway

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Another increase in toll rates for the use of Highway 2000 North-South Link from Caymanas and Ocho Rios is on the table, under a new proposed toll rates schedule published by the Government today.

If accepted, motorists travelling the full length of the North-South link would pay $5,220 for a round trip. The Transport Ministry is proposing a capped toll of $2,610 each way for Class 1 vehicles, up $115, or approximately 4.6 per cent, from the $2,495 rate imposed last year. 

If approved, operators of Class 2 vehicles would pay $5,220 one way, while the proposed toll for Class 3 vehicles, including larger trucks would be $7,830. This would push the round-trip toll for a Class 3 vehicle to $15,660. 

Rates for shorter sections of toll road

Motorcycles and other vehicles classified as Class 4 would pay $1,305 each way between Caymanas and Ocho Rios. The proposed Class 1 tolls for shorter sections include $2,280 between Angels and Ocho Rios; $1,575 between Linstead and Ocho Rios and $945 between Unity Valley and Ocho Rios. 

The proposed rate between Lydford and Ocho Rios is $540. The ministry published the proposed increases after Jamaica North South Highway Company, the toll road concessionaire, applied for its annual adjustment in toll tariffs. 

The figures published in the daily newspapers are proposed maximum toll levels and not the final rates. The concession agreement between the highway operator and the state-owned National Road Operating and Constructing Company allows the concessionaire to apply annually for an increase.

In today’s published notice, the Transport Ministry says it intends to amend the Highway 2000 North-South Link Toll Order to vary the tolls payable by each class of vehicle. The notice also did not state an implementation date, which will be announced following consultations.

Members of the public and interest groups have five days from the publication of the notice to submit objections or comments to the Toll Authority. Submissions may be sent to [email protected] or delivered to the Toll Authority at 11a-15 Oxford Road in Kingston.