Full 16% taxi fare hike takes effect today

Commuters across Jamaica are digging even deeper into their pockets from today as the full 16 per cent increase in public passenger vehicle (PPV) fares officially takes effect.

The second phase of the Government-approved fare adjustment came into effect on Tuesday, July 1, completing the two-stage increase announced by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz last month.

The first eight per cent increase took effect on June 2, with the remaining eight per cent now added, bringing the total fare adjustment to 16 per cent.

Vaz had announced the Cabinet-approved increase during a press briefing on June 2, explaining that implementing the increase in phases would lessen the immediate financial burden on commuters while providing much-needed relief to transport operators.

According to the Government, the fare adjustment is intended to help licensed PPV operators cope with rising operating costs, including fuel, vehicle maintenance and spare parts, which operators have long argued have made it difficult to remain profitable under the previous fare structure.

The increase applies to licensed PPV operators islandwide and affects fares on routes regulated under the approved schedule.

Despite the adjustment, some PPV operators have argued that the 16 per cent increase still falls short of what is needed to adequately offset their rising expenses.

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