Opposition leader Andrew Holness
KINGSTON, Jamaica –The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says its planned people’s peaceful protest on Monday, August 25 against an increase in Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus fares is still on.
In a statement a short while ago the JLP said that it has taken note of government’s decision to continue with its planned increases to JUTC bus fares including a 100 per cent increase in senior citizen’s fares from $20 to $40.
“We maintain our strong position and readiness to take a stand against increases in bus fares at this time,” Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness said in response to media reports that the increase in fare for senior citizens will be dropped to $40.
Transport Minister Omar Davies announced the fare increase on Wednesday, placing the regular fare at $120 up from $100, the fare for children and the disabled at $30 from $20, and that for senior citizens at $60, up from $20.
But on Friday government reduced the fare for senior citizens to $40 while keeping the others fixed. The fares are to become effective Sunday, August 24.
“What is clear is that the government does not understand the financial pressure that Jamaicans are suffering at this time,” said Holness.
“While the senior citizen’s fare might have been the worst of their planned increases, the burden on families that will be caused by the other planned increased fares on adults, students and the disabled, are still too much at this time.”
Holness said that his invitation to representatives of civil society groupings remains open for Monday morning at 7:00 am when “Jamaicans of all political persuasions can take a peaceful stand against the government’s refusal to hear their cries.”
