Toll Road Blues

“A system that only works when everything goes according to plan is flawed and inherently a failed system” – Me

I was unfortunate enough the other night to turn up at the Portmore toll plaza ‘cash poor’, I had plastic, but no cash.

The young lady assured me they did not take credit or debit cards and the office was closed “because it was Sunday”, so I could not
top up my toll pass either. Of course by now I had my flashers on and a growing line of disgruntled drivers behind me…who were mumbling none too
softly…I need to stop block the #%@*^& road…

In the end the young lady was kind enough to pay my toll with my promise I would pay her back on my return trip.

“THANK YOU CASSANDRA”

This whole unfortunate incident should never had happened and I would like to think I am not the first or the last person caught in this unlucky situation. This has exposed a serious flaw in the operation of the toll plazas and could be rectified by:

1. Me being smarter and making sure I always have cash while driving; toll plazas and police officers do not take plastic. (I just could not resist that last bit)
2. With current technological standards, toll operators should be able to handle a credit/debit card transaction even as a last resort.
3. The office should always be opened if they are the only ones who can rectify a situation like this.
4. Huge signs saying “Cash Only” toll road ahead before you are actually on the toll road, past the point of no return.

While I am on that point…let me just warn you…missing the Spanish Town exit on the Portmore to Old Harbor stretch simply means you are going to Old Harbor…but that is another story.