TODSS demands finance minister provide update on 16% fare increase, or else…

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS) is calling on outgoing Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke to provide an update on the 16 per cent fare increase that public transport operators are anticipating to receive in November.

The group said that if the minister does not provide an update it will have no choice but to take further action.

In a statement on Thursday, TODSS said earlier this year Minister Clarke urged public transport investors to hold out as he could not grant the 16 per cent increase then but said if inflation remained below seven per cent by November then he could grant the increase.

“The Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services TODSS went through hell by players in the sector noting that we should not have agreed to that position to the extent that he has resigned as chairman of TODSS due to the decision taken by the organisation,” TODSS said in the statement to media.

Noting that the minister will no longer hold his post in less than two weeks, the group is demanding an update from Dr Clarke on the subject before he leaves office.

“It is clear that the minister has no respect or regard for the public transportation sector as in 2022 he announced a $200 million revolving loan fund to the sector and to date not even one person has benefitted from the fund as the sector is treated with scant disregard,” TODSS added.