Proposed Toll Rate Adjustments for Highway 2000
The Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport, Daryl Vaz, stated that the new toll rates for the East-West segment of Highway 2000, scheduled to be effective on July 6, are necessary to maintain the road infrastructure.
The toll road is a crucial part of Jamaica’s infrastructure and a significant project under a public-private partnership. The proposed adjustments are based on an annual review process outlined in the concession agreement between the Government of Jamaica and Trans Jamaica Highway. They are influenced by economic factors, including the US consumer price index and exchange rate fluctuations.
The Minister emphasized that the new rates are within the limits set by the agreement and are essential to sustain the infrastructure investment.
The Portmore corridor will experience the least increase in toll rates. The Ministry also announced promotional discounts for T-tag users and encouraged feedback from the public on the proposed adjustments until July 29, 2024. Stakeholders can provide their input via phone or email using the contact information provided.
The proposed new rates at the Portmore, Spanish Town, Vineyards, and May Pen toll plazas are as follows:
Class One motorists using the Portmore toll plaza in St. Catherine will pay $360, up from $340, representing a 5.88 percent increase; Class Two moves from $610 to $660, an increase of 8.20 percent.
The Class Three rate moves to $1,090, up from $1,020, representing a 6.86 percent increase.
Motorists using the T-tag will be able to benefit from discounted rates.
These include a 10 percent discount for frequent users after the 10th passage for the week through the toll plaza.
Additionally, the government is offering a 50 percent discount on T-tag purchases from July 6 until September 30 to encourage cashless operations.
The remaining new proposed rates, as outlined by the Ministry, are:
The Spanish Town Toll Plaza Class One category is now $270, up from $255, and the T-tag discount will be $260. In the Class Two category, motorists will pay $470, up from $430, and the new T-tag rate will be $440.
Class Three vehicles’ rate moves to $800, up from $750.
At the Vineyards Toll Plaza, the new Class One rate will be $730, up from $670, with T-tag users paying $650.
The new Class Two rate will be $1,100, up from $990, while vehicles with T-tags will pay $1,050.
Class Three is now $2,200, up from $2,000.
Class One motorists using the May Pen toll plaza will pay a new fee of $240, up from $220, and T-tag users are expected to pay $220.
Class Two motorists will pay $390, up from $350, while motorists with T-tags will pay $370.
The Class Three rate will increase to $700 from $630.
The toll regulator also proposes a further discount for Class One and Two tag users who use the toll plazas after their 10th passage.
Six wards of the state are missing from a St Andrew Place of Safety.
Six female wards of the state have gone missing from the Homestead Place of Safety in Stony Hill, St Andrew. The girls, Nicola Martin (15), Ashley Wilson (17), Gilisa Spence (15), Jada Nephew (14), Oshana Sinclair (14), and Shanique Todd (15), were discovered missing during a roster check at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024.
The Stony Hill police have indicated that the mode of dress of the girls at the time they disappeared is not known. Authorities urge anyone with information about the whereabouts of these girls to come forward and assist in the investigation. You can contact the Stony Hill Police at 876-942-2223, use the police 119 emergency number, or reach out to the nearest police station.
Fatal stabbing with garden fork in St Thomas.
Fatal Stabbing Incident in Port Morant
The Port Morant police in St Thomas are currently investigating the tragic case of a man who was fatally stabbed with a garden fork on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
The victim has been identified as Kemar McGowan, a 38-year-old businessman residing on Market Road in Port Morant, St Thomas.
According to reports from the authorities, the incident occurred around 1 p.m. in the Chapel Hill community in Port Morant, where the assailant launched the fatal attack on McGowan using the garden fork.
Following the attack, the police swiftly responded and provided assistance to McGowan, transporting him to the Princess Margaret Hospital, where he was regrettably pronounced deceased.
Bank Staff Accused of Embezzling $2.6m from Customers’ Accounts.
Alleged Fraud: Marketing Officer Accused of Embezzling $2.6 Million
A 35-year-old marketing officer, Dianne Thompson of Annandale Close, Pembroke Hall in Kingston 20, has been charged by detectives of the Fraud Squad for allegedly stealing $2.6 million from the accounts of customers of a financial institution in Kingston.
Thompson faces charges of access with intent to commit an offense, unauthorized access to computer data, simple larceny, and engaging in a criminal property transaction.
According to reports, she is alleged to have swindled $2,603,000 from 25 customer accounts and transferred the funds to an account under her control between January 1 and June 20, 2024.
Following the discovery of the fraud, authorities reported the incident to the police, prompting an investigation. Thompson was subsequently taken into custody and charged.
She is set to appear in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on August 5, 2024, to respond to the charges.