Vaz signals further delay on 16 per cent PPV fare adjustment

Public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators in Jamaica will need to hold on a bit longer for the outstanding 16 per cent fare adjustment, even as fuel costs climb on the back of conflict in the Middle East.

Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz addressed the matter on Tuesday while delivering his presentation to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

Calls from PPV operators for a fare bump have grown louder since pump prices began their upward march after the joint United States and Israeli strike on Iran on February 28. Although a fragile ceasefire has held since April 8, crude prices have kept rising, pushing up the cost of a range of other goods and services across the island.

“I am aware that Jamaica’s public passenger vehicle sector is under strain due to rising fuel prices as well as the outstanding 16 per cent fare adjustment,” Vaz told the House.

“As I’ve said before, the issue of the 16 per cent fare adjustment is under continued consideration bearing in mind the effect on inflation and of course as they say, bad luck worse than obeah. Every time we’re at that point, we either have a hurricane or something to disrupt our economic forecasts and plans but I give assurance that commitment was made and commitment will be met,” he added.

The minister pointed out that fuel alone now eats up as much as 65 per cent of what PPV operators spend each month, on top of mounting tolls, insurance bills, and maintenance outlays — pressures he conceded are “threatening the sector’s sustainability”.

In answer, Vaz said the Government is moving to speed up the rollout of the 16 per cent adjustment alongside a public information push, while weighing relief options that include cheaper insurance premiums, discounted toll rates, and tougher action against unlicensed operators.

“Long-term solutions include fleet modernisation through an updated vehicle age policy, incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles, technical and financial training, and improved parking infrastructure. These interventions aim to balance the needs of operators and commuters, ensuring the continued viability of a sector critical to Jamaica’s mobility, commerce, and economic resilience,” Vaz said.

— Lynford Simpson