Bus and taxi operators flout stipulated fare rates

Some operators of public passenger vehicles have flouted the 15 per cent fare increase across the island and have been overcharging commuters since it was instituted on 16 August 2021, five months ago. 
The Jamaica Monitor observed that on the Mandeville to Kingston route, bus operators were charging $550 per passenger despite the stipulated $530. Some taxi drivers along the Mona to Half Way Tree route have been charging passengers up to $150. On the Three Chains to Mandeville and the Davyton to Mandeville routes, operators have been overcharging passengers by $5, respectively. One commuter confirmed that some taxis overcharged her on her route for turn-offs, depending on the time of day that she travelled. In the mornings, some operators charged $170 and $200 in the afternoons.
According to the Fare Increase Notice released by the Transport Authority, children under 12, students in uniform, physically disabled people, and senior citizens (60 years and over) should pay half the regular fare. One commuter who is a senior citizen said she was not aware that she was entitled to pay half of the regular fare. The Jamaica Monitor observed that this stipulation is not widely observed by operators.
The announcement by the Ministry of Transport and Mining in August was met with rejection from some operators, but the increase has remained at 15 per cent. In June of last year, the Route Taxi Association Alliance submitted a proposal to the Ministry for an 80 per cent fare increase. Before this increase, the last increase was given eight years ago.  
According to the Transport Authority, overcharging passengers is illegal and violates the rights of commuters. The Authority said, “operators found to be ‘unlawfully deceiving passengers as to the fare for a journey’ will be prosecuted under regulation 129 (d) of the Road Traffic Regulations.” If operators are found guilty of numerous offences, their road licenses may be suspended or revoked.
However, in the view of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) the Road Traffic Regulations have not been prioritized based on a statement it released. “In August 2018, the new Road Traffic Act was approved by the Lower and Upper House and, to date, has not been enabled because of a failure to provide and approve the regulations to the Act which contains the new fines. This failure has resulted in and may facilitate inconsequential penalties for indiscipline on our roadways and further frustrate the efforts of the law enforcement to bring a sense of law and order to our roadways,” the PSOJ said.
Commuters are encouraged to report instances of overcharging by calling the Transport Authority’s toll-free number at 1-888-991-5687 or by taking a picture or video of the license plate and route of the vehicle and submitting it via WhatsApp to 1-876-551-8196.