The National Association of Taxi Operators, NATO, has given the Transport Authority until 3 o'clock this evening to respond to its request for an increase in fares.

Last week NATO joined forces with the Route Taxi Association of Jamaica, RTAJ and served an ultimatum on the Transport Authority to give an update on the status of the 60 percent increase which it applied for.

NATO's General Secretary, Rayon Gabbidon, told our newsroom that if there is no word from the authority at this time, the associations will be meeting to decide on the way forward.

The actions of NATO and RTAJ comes on the heels of the recent increase to road licensing fees by the Transport Authority, which the groups say is from 16 point 6 percent, to 31 point 7 percent.

According to Mr. Gabbidon, the 60 percent increase in taxi fares does not factor in the license fee increase as the submission was made well in advance.

He says while the taxi groups understand the discontent by commuters adverse to a fare increase, taxi operators cannot function without the addition.

NATO has advised all its members and affiliated associations to withhold doing any early renewals for the 2008/2009 licensing period, in reaction to the new processing fees published by the Transport Authority.

The Association says its members are to use their current license until the expired date of March 31; adding that they will issue further instructions depending on the response or lack there of, to a letter the group says was sent to the Transport Authority on February 13.