Come June 14, commuters travelling on rural stage buses and hackney carriages (chartered taxis) will have to pay 25 per cent more in fares.

Transport and Works Minister, Mike Henry, made the announcement yesterday following consultation with members of the Cabinet.

Bus operators have been calling for a new fare structure since a rate hike was granted to rural taxi operators almost a month ago.

The Office of Utilities Regulation had recommended a 36 per cent increase for rural buses and hackney carriages similar to its proposal for route-taxi operators.

No change to JUTC

Communications director at the ministry, Reginald Allen, said there will be no change to the fare structure of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, which did not seek an increase.

The last general fare increase in the public transport sector was in August 2005, when the operators of rural stage buses, hackney carriages and route taxis were granted a 25 per cent hike.