Dear Editor,
With the revelation of plans to increase toll rates on the North-South Highway at the Mount Rosser toll plaza by as much as 80 per cent, I think the public should be sensitised to the rationalisation of this increase, like many other increases.
Without a doubt, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has a right to secure a return on its investments for the next 50 years. But my concern is us, the Jamaican people.
I agree that we must pay to use it. But, when considerations of an increase are pending, are there concerns for the average man or woman? The fact that we are seeing increases from every area; the fact that we are seeing no increase in our income; the fact that goods will increase, consumers will have to dig and scrape more out of what they already don't have?
Could we the people be considered? After all, it's our tax dollars that are used to assist in the development of the same toll roads.
My next question is, after CHEC has successfully made their investment returns in 50 years or less, who will maintain the roads? Will we continue to pay them (CHEC) for maintenance of the toll road or will we start to patch the toll like all other roads in Jamaica?
The intent is not to bash the Government about decisions made on its citizens' behalf. One has to think about the effects of the small man, who is already struggling to make ends meet. Please have a conscience when implementing increases on us the Jamaican people. The cost of living is already too high.
Ricardo Cole
insightsbycole@gmail.com
These increased toll fees
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With the revelation of plans to increase toll rates on the North-South Highway at the Mount Rosser toll plaza by as much as 80 per cent, I think the public should be sensitised to the rationalisation of this increase, like many other increases.
Without a doubt, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has a right to secure a return on its investments for the next 50 years. But my concern is us, the Jamaican people.
I agree that we must pay to use it. But, when considerations of an increase are pending, are there concerns for the average man or woman? The fact that we are seeing increases from every area; the fact that we are seeing no increase in our income; the fact that goods will increase, consumers will have to dig and scrape more out of what they already don't have?
Could we the people be considered? After all, it's our tax dollars that are used to assist in the development of the same toll roads.
My next question is, after CHEC has successfully made their investment returns in 50 years or less, who will maintain the roads? Will we continue to pay them (CHEC) for maintenance of the toll road or will we start to patch the toll like all other roads in Jamaica?
The intent is not to bash the Government about decisions made on its citizens' behalf. One has to think about the effects of the small man, who is already struggling to make ends meet. Please have a conscience when implementing increases on us the Jamaican people. The cost of living is already too high.
Ricardo Cole
insightsbycole@gmail.com
These increased toll fees
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