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TOLL SCAM <DIV class=KonaBody>
Some taxi operators who ply the route from downtown to Portmore have found a way to beat the Portmore leg of Highway 2000, by using a dirt road which runs alongside the toll road and exits on Port Henderson road.
The Portmore leg of Highway 2000 was opened in July 2006 and replaced the previous Causeway bridge and road. But, true to form, a few taxi operators have found a way to 'beat the system' by risking their lives and their passengers' own as well.
The road, which runs alongside the toll road, goes through the fishing village. There is, however, a catch as the 'alternative route', which can only be used by motorists heading to Portmore, is a narrow road covered with marl. A turn too much to the left for the first 50 metres could mean the vehicle tumbling over into the sea.
A fisherfolk at the fishing village, who wished not to be named, said that the taxis come through on a regular basis, especially when there is a build up of traffic in the area. He said, at first, he thought they were picking up and letting off fisherfolk but he found out otherwise.
"Dem come through here mostly in a di evening, because dem nuh waan pay di toll. Dem nuh really drive fast still, but we haffi mek way fi dem come through. A just di taxi man dem mi see dweet still," said the fisherfolk.
Clueless
A motorist, who claims he uses the toll road everyday, said he has seen taxis on the 'alternative route' but was clueless as to where they were going.
"A all di while mi si di taxi dem go pon it, but mi not even sure weh dem come out. But to think of it, some time mi si dem a come from Fort Augusta (Prison) side, but mi never tink a anyting," said the motorist.
When contacted, TransJamaican Highway, the operators of Highway 2000, said they were unaware that this was happening but said they would look into the matter.
The Waterford police, which is in charge of that area, said they were also unaware that the taxi operators were using the road as a means to bypass the toll road. </DIV>
Some taxi operators who ply the route from downtown to Portmore have found a way to beat the Portmore leg of Highway 2000, by using a dirt road which runs alongside the toll road and exits on Port Henderson road.
The Portmore leg of Highway 2000 was opened in July 2006 and replaced the previous Causeway bridge and road. But, true to form, a few taxi operators have found a way to 'beat the system' by risking their lives and their passengers' own as well.
The road, which runs alongside the toll road, goes through the fishing village. There is, however, a catch as the 'alternative route', which can only be used by motorists heading to Portmore, is a narrow road covered with marl. A turn too much to the left for the first 50 metres could mean the vehicle tumbling over into the sea.
A fisherfolk at the fishing village, who wished not to be named, said that the taxis come through on a regular basis, especially when there is a build up of traffic in the area. He said, at first, he thought they were picking up and letting off fisherfolk but he found out otherwise.
"Dem come through here mostly in a di evening, because dem nuh waan pay di toll. Dem nuh really drive fast still, but we haffi mek way fi dem come through. A just di taxi man dem mi see dweet still," said the fisherfolk.
Clueless
A motorist, who claims he uses the toll road everyday, said he has seen taxis on the 'alternative route' but was clueless as to where they were going.
"A all di while mi si di taxi dem go pon it, but mi not even sure weh dem come out. But to think of it, some time mi si dem a come from Fort Augusta (Prison) side, but mi never tink a anyting," said the motorist.
When contacted, TransJamaican Highway, the operators of Highway 2000, said they were unaware that this was happening but said they would look into the matter.
The Waterford police, which is in charge of that area, said they were also unaware that the taxi operators were using the road as a means to bypass the toll road. </DIV>
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