Left: The price list at the Total gas station in Liguanea, St Andrew, before the implementation of the recently announced $8.75 fuel tax. Right: The Total gas station in Liguanea after the tax was added yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
Members of the Jamaica Association of Taxi Owners and Operators (JATOO) are threatening to withdraw their services within the next 48 hours if they are not granted a 30 per cent fare increase, in light of the recent imposition of a tax on petroleum.
Following the association's weekly meeting yesterday, members called for an immediate rollback of the fuel tax, but said they were willing to accept it as long they were granted a fare increase.
"It is ridiculous to put an increase on such an important commodity like gas and don't expect us to increase the fare," argued JATOO member, Louis Barton, yesterday. "Fifty per cent of our overall expenses is gas related, so when you increase that amount by as much as $8.75 and not grant us an increase, you are really aiming to drive us out of business," he added.
NATO President Michael Morgan said the organisation would be seeking to discuss a possible fare hike with transport minister Mike Henry during a meeting today.