Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

spanish town

Several persons travelling from Spanish Town to Linstead and surrounding communities in St Catherine said they are now paying double to get home and they are finding it to be a great stress.

This as the Bog Walk gorge is now closed because of damage sustained During Tropical Storm Gustav. Transport operators now have to use alternative routes through Barry or Sligoville. "When the gorge was open, we pay $70 on bus to go to Linstead from Spanish Town, now it is $150, this is really hard and I do not know how much longer I can manage it," said Myrtle Bailey.

Her views were echoed by several other commuters who used to travel the route daily, but have no alternative but to use the longer way.

Persons who choose to take taxis have to dig even deeper in their pockets as the journey that use to cost $100 now cost $200. And to add to that pain, it takes almost one and half hour from Spanish Town to reach these communities - a journey which usually takes up to 30 minutes. Taxi operators told THE STAR that it is costing more to buy gas and other necessaries for their vehicle and as a result, they have to pass on the cost to the commuters.

"It is really rough on all of us but we hope that the gorge will soon be open, so that things can return to normal," said Milton Waite, one of the operators.