News

Gorge fare hike

By RASBERT TURNER, Star Writer

SPANISH TOWN

SEVERAL COMMUTERS WHO previously used the Bog Walk gorge in St. Catherine to their destination have complained bitterly about the massive hike in the fares they are paying to taxi operators.

The commuters, who travel to Linstead from Spanish Town, for example, told THE STAR that prior to the passage of Hurricane Dennis they usually paid $60 to Linstead. With the passage of Dennis it was raised to $120 and with Hurricane Emily it has now been raised to $150.

Those travelling to and from Ocho Rios, St. Ann, via the gorge, told THE STAR that prior to Dennis they paid $150 on buses and $200 on robot taxis. With the passing of the two hurricanes, they now pay $300 and many have complained that this is grossly unfair.

"Can you imagine we have to be paying robot operators $300 to Ocho Rios and if the vehicle crash we have nothing to get?" one irate commuter complained to THE STAR.

Inspector Patrick Murdock of the St. Catherine North Division said that while these operators are overcharging the passengers, for the robot operators, it is illegal for them to be carrying passengers, as they have no insurance coverage for this purpose.

THE STAR visited Barrett Street in Spanish Town where the robot taxi operators going to Ocho Rios are parked. Several passengers were heard complaining to the cabbies about the high fare hike. They were cursed by one of the taxi drivers.

"Right now there are more passengers than before and is either uunu tek it or left it," he shouted to them as several persons boarded the car.

Many of the commuters concede that while they thought the cabbies were very unreasonable, they had no choice but to use the services.