Chad Bryan, STAR Writer

President of the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO), Louis Barton, has expressed satisfaction at the effect of ongoing reduction in on fuel costs for the organisation's members.

There are over 300 JATOO members.

"Naturally, the fall in oil prices for our members is something we can celebrate, because any prices that are going down we like that. That is good for us, that is good for our operations," Barton said.

However, Barton would not pin down a figure for the bus operators' savings. due to fuel price slashes.

"There is a reduction in about 10 to 15 per cent of our operations. This is coming from just off the top of my head and based on the operators I have spoken to. We haven't done any detailed analysis on our members, but based on what they are telling me, anywhere between 10 to 15 per cent," he said,

commercially available

The reduced expenditure being enjoyed by the private bus and taxi operators is being enjoyed across the range of commercially available fuel, diesel, 87 or 90 octane, and diesel.

"A good amount of our Coaster members buy diesel. Then you have some taxi operators who buy 90, but the rest are 87. They are saving something," Barton said.

Barton was however quick to point out that although the transport operators had been saving at the pumps, the money is not being transferred into their bank accounts as it is being used for other purchases.

"This probably goes towards buying parts. The price of parts has not decreased relative to the oil prices. I have not seen where there has been a decrease in tyre price, or battery price has gone down. And whenever the price of oil use to go up, those things usually go up, too. I do not see a reduction in those things, based on the current fall in the price of oil," Barton said.

Barton also added that spending on vehicle repairs has also gone up. Notwithstanding this, he is still appreciative of the drop in the fuel prices.