Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Eli Zakour, has defended the decision to double the toll for the Priority Bus Route (PBR), insisting the adjustment was necessary to sustain operations and maintain service quality, and was not an attempt to generate revenue.
The toll increase, which moves from $300 per quarter to $600, effectively doubles the annual cost for maxi taxi operators from $1,200 to $2,400.
The decision has sparked opinions from the Route 2 Maxi Taxi Association, but Minster Zakour said the change reflects the real cost of running a specialised service.
He said the adjustment in the PBR toll was necessary to reflect the actual requirements involved in operating and maintaining the PBR unit.
Minister Zakour explained that the PBR is not an ordinary roadway, but a dedicated system requiring significant investment in infrastructure, trained personnel and ongoing support.
He added that, the previous toll structure was outdated and insufficient to meet operational demands, noting that the adjustment ensures that the department can continue to operate efficiently and deliver the service reliably.
Zakour stressed that the increase is not about profit but about sustainability.
And he stated that when maxi taxi operators make changes to their permits, those adjustments are processed without additional cost.