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A report from Kelesha Williams
It appeared to be business as usual for some motorists along the Portmore Toll Road on Monday, despite a call for a three-day boycott of the thoroughfare due to the increased toll rates for Highway 2000 East-West.
The new rates took effect on Saturday.
On the weekend, the Cumberland Tri-Sector Citizens Association urged Portmore residents to not use the toll for three days, starting Monday.
But while some motorists seemed to have heeded the call as suggested by an increase in traffic along Mandela Highway, others continued along the toll road.
Radio Jamaica News visited the area minutes after 7 o'clock Monday morning, starting at the bridge on Port Henderson Road which would connects to the Portmore Toll Road.
As some persons shouted to passing motorists for them to boycott the toll road, the motorists continued along their journey.
At the intersection of Passage Fort Drive and Dyke Road, many more motorists headed towards the toll road.
One woman who spoke with Radio Jamaica News said she was surprised more people were not responding to the call for a boycott, but said she would be using the Mandela Highway.
She argued that the $50 increase in the toll rate was exorbitant and motorists would struggle to maintain this considering "we don't even get a raise in our salary".
But at the intersection at Ackee Village, near the roundabout leading to Mandela Highway, there was traffic as long lines of vehicles slowed to a crawl while persons shouted: 'We're boycotting the toll! We're not using the toll road!"
One man told Radio Jamaica News he does not agree with the increased toll rate and would be using the Mandela Highway route "as long as I deem it possible".
A police officer who said he travels the route often, noted that there was an "unusual" amount of traffic on Mandela Highway, which suggested some motorists did indeed follow the call to boycott the Portmore Toll Road.
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