The photo says it all, as the ministro de transportes, Pedro Castro, visited the community of San Ramòn Friday night to face residents about their concerns of the San José – San Ramón construction, mainly the cost of the tolls.
Among the concerns raised by the residents attending the meeting were the expansion to four lanes – two in each direction – of the section of road between Manlos and San Ramón and the cost of the tolls, about ¢4.000 coloes for a round trip for a passenger vehicle.
Despite the unease of residents, minister Castro confirmed that there will be no changes on the construction plans.
The minister did say that there is the possibility of a toll reduction which will be up to the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep) to set the rates.
The opinion of the majority of the residents of San Ramón and the areas of Grecia, Sarchi, Naranjo, Palmares and Atenas is that the project – the tolls – would negatively impact many families.
The mentioned areas are a sleeper community for many who travel to and from San José daily, which based on a 20 day a month work week, would add ¢80.000 colones monthly to their transportation costs.