Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz on Tuesday announced a 19% increase in fares for both bus and taxi operators but not for the state-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and Montego Bay Metro.

The 16% increase is set to take effect on Sunday, October 15 with an additional 19 % set for next April.

While speaking in Parliament Minister Vaz indicated that users of the state-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and Montego Bay Metro will continue to pay the existing fares.

He reiterated that the rate for the elderly, the disabled, and children who use both the JUTC and Mobay Metro will remain at 50% of the adult fare. 

Meanwhile, he noted that the increased fares granted to non-state-owned bus and taxi operators are to cover the operational costs faced by public transportation investors and increase the viability of the sector.