Special Rates for Some Users of Highway 2000

TransJamaican Highway Limited operators of Highway 2000, should begin charging commuters who travel between May Pen and Spanish Town a special concessionary rate as of next month.
The company is also expected to outline concessions for frequent users of the highway in another two months. These decisions were taken this morning (Jan. 5) at a meeting convened by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson involving officials of the Ministry of Transport and Works, TransJamaican Highway Limited, National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC) and the National Works Agency (NWA)
A similar arrangement is being contemplated for commuters who live in Portmore and who will frequently use the Portmore leg of the highway.
Although this segment is not scheduled for completion until early 2006, the operators of the toll road have indicated that they should be in a position to finalise the projected concessionary arrangement for residents of Portmore by March of this year.
Prime Minister Patterson has insisted that there be regular dialogue between all the stakeholders including Portmore residents before a final announcement. The Minister of Transport and Works is expected to anchor the dialogue with the residents of Portmore in collaboration with the Members of Parliament for the constituencies.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has also mandated NROCC and the NWA to examine all the available options for the Bushy Park to Ocho Rios segment of Highway 2000 in order to determine the best routing for a highway linking the southern portion of the island to the north coast. Both agencies have three months in which to present their report to the Prime Minister.
In making the decision, Mr. Patterson said there was a compelling need for a highway linking the Northern and Southern sections of the island and that every effort should be made to bring forward the plans for its development.