Transport Authority officials are advising commuters on the Spanish Town to Half-Way Tree/Downtown route who take coaster buses not to pay any increased fare.

Instead the Authority wants commuters to report any such demand for increased fares to its office.

Since late last year commuters have been complaining to The Gleaner that some buses have raised their fares from $50 to $70. The operators have often cited the rising price of fuel and extortion as the reason for the fare hikes.

Keith Goodison, managing director of the Transport Authority, told The Gleaner that his office had received complaints but he is advising affected commuters to note the date and time of these occurrences and record the licence plate number of the buses.

No approval

"If you are overcharged you collect your ticket, you record the date, the time and the licence number of the bus and you call our toll free number. That gives me what I want because I can go on my system and I can call that person into my office."

Mr. Goodison said that despite efforts, both overtly and covertly to nab these operators, the co-operation of the public is needed to effectively rein in the operators. He said that during the upcoming licensing period in February and March he would be having hearings for the revocation of the licences of repeat offenders.

Meanwhile Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry has reiterated that there has not been any increase in fares despite the applications from several associations for one.

"There has been no approval for any raise in fares for any form of transport; the matter is on my desk being reviewed and it is being driven by Transport Authority," he told The Gleaner.

Contact the transport Authority customer complaints number: 1-888-991-5687.