Motorists on the new Portmore toll road in St. Catherine. Motorists who do business at collectorates will soon be able to have documents processed in less then 10 minutes, depending on the transaction. - Norman Grindley

Neil, who works in Half-Way Tree, had not calculated the cost of leaving his home in Portmore, St. Catherine, later than his accustomed time in cash before STAR CENTS asked about the extra expenditure.

He knew, though, that it cost him a lot in time, as if he left even 15 minutes after his accustomed time he would be caught in the traffic and be guaranteed to reach half an hour to 45 minutes later than usual, depending on the traffic.

More money

But that extra time translates to cash and, working out that he uses an extra two litres on a late day, Neil worked it out to just over $100 extra. For 20 working days in the month that would be $2000 - at least.

"I didn't really check it like that. I knew I was spending more money on gas, yes, but not that much. That is one tank, or little under a week of driving," he said.

And if the cost to all those who leave 'cross the waters' late and hit the traffic snarl flush on is calculated, it would be a huge dent in the nation's gas consumption and oil bill.