The Editor, Sir:

There are those of us who saw the May Pen leg of Highway 2000 as an opportunity to live beyond the hustle and bustle of the Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) and still be able to commute daily to the city. There are those, who, unable to afford houses in the KMA, were willing or able to consider homes on the periphery because of the existence of the highway. Yet another group breathed a sigh of relief as they were already commuting daily via the Old Harbour Road and saw the highway as a reprieve to the endless lines. In most cases, we were willing to pay so that we could enjoy a particular way of life.

These dreams are now threatened, for with the regular toll increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain this lifestyle. So, some have already returned to the city, whereas others have had to abandon the highway for the still congested Old Harbour Road. The rest of us, who still traverse the highway, bite the bullet and make other sacrifices so that our children can get a little more sleep.

These persons represent the bread and butter of Highway 2000, and yet there is no concession afforded us. Whether or not you purchase a 'tag', you pay the same toll as the family who visits its grandmother in St Elizabeth twice a year. Consideration needs to be given to the regular users of the highway whose monthly toll fees range from $10,800 to $22,200, depending on vehicle class and weekend usage. In addition, those who use the tag are paying upfront for the services, and all benefits go to Highway 2000.

Enhancing the gap

There is a group I've not mentioned thus far. There are those to whom the increases are of no consequence simply because they can afford it. Whereas we hold these persons no grudge, as a country, we have to get to the point where the 'benefits' we afford our populace stop enhancing the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots', where the high-income minority is able to access better services, and middle-income earners 'get squeeze again'!

I am, etc.,

FRUSTRATED MOTORIST

Old Harbour

St Catherine