Vehicle License Fee Increase to Include Cars and Trucks

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Government Expands Vehicle License Fee Increase to Include Cars and Trucks

The Antigua and Barbuda government has confirmed that the previously announced increase in vehicle license fees will now apply to cars, trucks, and buses, in addition to heavy-duty equipment.

The revenue from these increases will be used to establish a dedicated fund for road repairs.

Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, Lionel Hurst, said the decision to broaden the fee increase reflects the significant role that all vehicles play in road wear and tear.

“For those of us who drive cars, trucks, buses, and heavy-duty equipment, we contribute to the deterioration of the roads,” Hurst said. “We are establishing a special fund to ensure that those who use the roads will contribute to keeping them in good shape.”

While most vehicles will now be subject to the increased fees, tractors will be exempt, as they are primarily used for agricultural purposes and rarely operate on public roads.

“We have about a hundred tractors registered, and they are used mostly on farms,” Hurst said. “They very infrequently use the road, so we see no need to place an extra burden on farmers.”

The government has emphasized that the additional revenue from license fee increases will support long-term road maintenance.

Officials argue that improved road conditions will benefit all vehicle owners by reducing damage to tires and suspension systems.

“There is strong evidence that smoother roads lead to lower maintenance costs for vehicles,” Hurst said.

“The goal is to ensure our roads last longer and provide a better driving experience.”

With over 400 miles of roads across the country, the government estimates that about half have already been upgraded.

The funds generated through the expanded fee structure are expected to accelerate ongoing repair efforts.

A timeline for when the new fees will take effect has yet to be announced.

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35 COMMENTS

  2. I hope the government ensures it’s not just a way to generate more revenue without any tangible benefits for road infrastructure.

  3. SMFH…. With so many already struggling, this increase could add unnecessary financial pressure. There needs to be a balance between development and the financial burdens on citizens.

  5. As per usual: Peter mus pay for Paul. And all the Cooning Buffoons, leaches of the clique; pigging-out for free on the backs of the marginalized working stiffs, who must toil unceasingly to prop-up the creative enrichment elitist incompetent charlatans in governance; with subsidized their living experiences, at the disdain and, intolerance of the downtrodden motoring public. This reeks of the inconsiderate unconsciousness for the plight of the people effected by governance inertia, and indifference, to their struggle to strive: let alone achieve.

  6. Wow ! Now more money to fill the pockets of the Government Officials.
    Look how everyone high up will have now a keen interest in road infrastructure.
    Look a pressure on the small man with wife and children……me park me old car and catch bus when I can’t keep up, me sorry, things a get too too hard day by day.

  7. If the driver’s license fee is being raised to benefit all road users, I sincerely hope and pray that this includes La Pasture and Buckley Line. We don’t have a proper road—we have something that can’t even be called a road. For years, we’ve been forced to drive through pools of dirt and mud.

    I hope that the benefits of this increase will be felt by everyone, not just a select few. Road repairs shouldn’t mean patching up one side while ignoring the rest. If this is truly for all road users, then every community should see improvements, not just certain areas.

  8. Taxing the public more is not a recipe for success. Spending less is the answer. 1.5 million for a music festival is not something that goes over well considering spending should be focused on needs not pleasure. Bring on a DOGE.

  9. The expanded vehicle license fees may help fund road repairs, but let’s also think about longer-term solutions for sustainable infrastructure funding.

    Public-private partnerships, green infrastructure initiatives, and innovative financing models could all play a role in maintaining our roads without overburdening citizens.

    I encourage the government to explore these options as well.🖖

  10. @Island Girl, you raise a valid concern. Transparency and accountability are crucial in ensuring that the increased fees are used for their intended purpose—improving road infrastructure. Let’s hope the government provides regular updates on how these funds are being allocated and the progress of road repairs to build trust and reassure citizens of the tangible benefits.

  11. @Handit2me, that’s an essential point about the potential impact of these increased fees on the everyday working person.

    It’s important for the government to consider the financial well-being of all citizens, especially those who may already be struggling. 🙂🇦🇬

  12. 👏 @Nuff & Edge Up, you’ve got a point! While the increased fees might give a quick fix for road repairs, we definitely need to think bigger.
    🌟 Long-term solutions like teaming up with private partners, 🤝 going green, 🍃 and finding creative funding ideas 💰 could make a huge difference for our roads without putting too much pressure on us citizens.
    🤞 Let’s hope 🤞 the government listens to your wise words and explores these options! 😊

  13. The sad thing is that the system won’t change. It’ll just be more money being stolen by the system of corrupt officials, contractors, etc. with little funding actually making it to the roads. Until that changes the infrastructure will continue to get worse! And the age old “solution” of vote them out doesn’t work either. We’ve been through 3 different administrations over the last few decades and nothing changed.
    It’s time to hold the officials in charge of these areas directly accountable and demand their removal when we fail to get proper infrastructure and services! When their jobs are on the line they will be more likely to speak the truth and stop shielding the corrupt politicians and others who bleed the system.
    Antigua, the largest economy in the Eastern Caribbean, had fallen way behind much smaller territories where infrastructure is concerned and it is a crying shame!! The people deserve better, because we already pay for it!

  15. I paid more to license my car on Wednesday than I paid last year so the increase is already in effect, you wicked sons of Bi*tches waiting for the bunch of you next election

  16. Licensing vehicles earns Transport Board MINIMUM $22.5 million each year. Where does the money go?

    The latest study shows 45,000 vehicles on the roads of A&B. Heavy duty vehicles pay substantially more than smaller vehicles. The fee for smaller vehicles range from $400-$700+.

    If we average what each person pays to $500 (a very conservative estimate). 45,000 x $500= 22.5 Million per year.

    How is that money spent? Where does the money go? Every year? At least 22.5 Million?

    Raising the fees under the guise of using the extra money to fix the roads when there hasn’t been any accountability on where previous monies have been spent is not the solution.

  18. The increase in licensing fees imposed by the government is deeply concerning, especially when there is little to no improvement in road conditions. It is unacceptable for residents to continually pay higher fees without seeing any tangible benefits in infrastructure maintenance and development.

  19. When are we going to get a serious reassigning of APUA board? it seriously needs it.. The APUA brand and it’s counterpart INET is underperforming and disgusting at this point. When are we going to address on a serious level, the crime rate and disappearance of the many victims?… Police have the time of day to be on patrol writing a ridiculous amount of tickets to drivers and we still can’t solve a single disappearance nor murder… Insane. St John’s alone have an army of police with ticket books. Crazy. Antigua needs to get it’s priorities straight. What avenues and systems are in place via the government that ensure revenues are being generated outside of selling our passport to questionable persons?… Seriously.. our agriculture sector deserves so much more… Tourism itself is modern day slavery with meagre returns to us… Almost all of the hotels are ran or operated by foreign owners… It’s crazy…

    Hey it together Antigua Barbuda.. Get it together

    Annoyed

  20. In full agreement of the increase. My only concern is that of accountability. First by this money going into the consolidated funds and get used up for what is was intended. I think a special account should be created. That the PS and Minister and s newly appointed Director of PWD should be the main administrators of these funds. If this director will be overseeing the road construction. Don’t matter where you put it or hide it that rat will find that cheese. SCHEMER
    Secondly the corruption at the Ministry of works. The Director is in everyone pocket , self enriching. Greedy guy. Must be licking his lips, hearing about these funds.
    Thirdly we do not have a good road construction company in Antigua . Not what I have seen taking place on the south side road and factory road
    My only hope is the PS. This good gentleman was at finance for many years and did a remarkable job. Not involved in any corruption. Sir please watch these funds. Ensure that the tendering process is followed to the law. Follow it even if it is deposited into the consolidated account. I know you can follow it even in the treasury.
    I am still of the view that this director is most incompetent and not even the threats made by the PM will bring about a long term change. We need to get someone into PWD to oversee that this road project be carried out properly.
    It cannot be Craig since he is right now engaged in private work, using government G. It cannot be King since he is into his own road construction company. He is also a poor communicator and again government G always on private jobs . So there is no integrity amongst these engineers.
    This leaves one person, with the necessary skills, integrity and can administrate. He is also a good communicator ( not a sweet talker). He will tell you exactly as it is.
    He is now working along with a team at the Ministry of Education. They are doing an excellent job , with 100 percent accountability. Unheard of within the government system. PM if you investigate with the Minister of Education, the board of Education, Your Financial Secretary, the Caribbean department bank you would recognize where true talent is and use them to the benefit of Antigua and Barbuda.
    MR. WESLEY JAMES IS MY PICK to oversee this entire road construction and take over the directorship of PWD. That is if he wants it at this time, after all the mess this director has made. Mind youl,Handley was no better. He allowed our network of roads to deteriorate as well. He and his right hand the present dictator.

  21. I knew they weren’t going let those heavy duty equipment owner foot that bill alone,the poorer people will never get a break.

  23. Grounds for suing. Suing in the sense you’re collecting my monies to do something but not delivering on it. This should be a great test piece for a class action lawsuits. Meaning multiple people coming together to sue the government for non proformance.

  24. To Whom It May Concern…Wrong timing..fix the roads first so tht we wont have to be changing parts so fast..then y’all can consider the increase..Smdh

  25. Can John Public see the INCOME & EXPENDITURE report of the Transport Board? It could be most telling. Suga cake Fu Yearz!!

  26. I never hear more hogwash in all my life. So from inland revenue to the creation of the transport board all these years no part of the license fee were allocated to roads? Where was the money collect going …what about them insurance companies…they collect your money so you can drive on the public road and hope you don’t have an accident and if you do …they still take out something they all deductible. The insurance companies should be paying a road maintenance fee without impacting its customers.
    WHY WERE WE PAYING LICENSE AND INSURANCE FIR ALL THESE YEARS?
    WE NEED TO GET UP AND STAND UP…IT’S NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE SO LET’S NOT MAKE IT ONE…ITS PURE WICKEDNESS AND THE GOVERNMENT THIS TIME IS UNCONSCIONABLE.
    Final question: will GOVERNMENT VEHICLES be subjected to this fee increase…? Sometimes I wondered if they are even licensed and insured.

  27. If the engineers they claim say they have at public works was educated enough the roads wouldn’t fail so easy. Many other country in the world have heavier vehicles running on them daily and no damage. In antigua we tend to use the same type of material all over the country and that’s not right. Different areas call for different type of material

  28. REVENUE STREAMS DRIED UP: …INCREASE IN ROAD TAXES: …CLEVER AS FOXES

    Clearly, the ‘…REVENUE STREAMS’ have ‘…DRIED UP.’

    ***
    Not necessary ‘CLEVER AS FOXES:

    ***

    Though not always: ‘…Necessity knows no Law.’

    Drive only if necessary, and ‘ONLY’ to the bank.

    ***
    THIS IS HOW THE STORY GOES:

    (i) ‘…When ‘…Fuel Tanks’ are filled, ‘…DRIVE AND GO:

    (ii) …When they are ‘…RUNNING EMPTY OR LOW:

    (iii) …Again, ‘…FILL UP AND GO:

    (iv) …When pocket money ‘…RUNS LOW:

    (v) …Go back to the bank ‘…FUH MOE:’

    (vi) …Then go to ‘…Charlie’s,’ ‘…FILL UP AND GO:

    (vi) …When again the ‘…TANK RAN LOW:

    (vii) …Get ‘…Waterman: …Steve: or …Maulvin to ‘…BRING A TANK.’

    ***

    USES:

    Whatever is left: ‘…Drink: …Bathe: …Cook: …Wash and use ‘Steam Iron.’

    ***

    When that runs out, well: ‘…Teck auff de Weals, but Doh sell dem, doh’ (Vernacular).

    Bie ah ‘…Bi-cickle:’ Ride an Wark.
    ***
    Blas sed sati-dah ti aull.’

    ***

  29. Ok don’t see the Kool aide drinkers co.menting on this at all. Wah they don’t drive like other ppl. SMDH!!!!

  30. If I were to be honest with myself, I would be forced to admit that it is not such a bad idea to increase the licensing fee to fund road maintenance. However, history teaches us that every, single administration has abused their power and misused public funds for unauthorised spending – from Social Security building the market to MBS funds paying for cable TV services for the Cuban Brigade.

    This will just be another source from which politicians will fund their campaigns

  31. @Where Does The Money Go: I once called ABTB to report some craters that were missed so during their road inspection. I was informed that ABTB is not responsible for road maintenance – only marking of the roads. I am left to assume that since we see very little marking of roads, then the bulk of our licensing fees end up in the consolidated funds to do everything except maintain roads.

  32. Horse, donkey, cattle, sheep, dog, pig and goat will be next because, they use the roads too like it’s theirs. Robin is holding out on this one.

    Bicycles and baby strollers are in their crosshairs. Whener can target practice on this one.

    Then the flat screen tv’s, sound systems, radios, computers and cellphones. Godfather Megaman says not just yet.

    Less not leave out the yacht owners and fishermen, since, their fossil fuel powered engines are destroying the ecosystem and Elon, Trumps dog ate all of the GreenFund contracts.

    Someone has to pay for the One Nation FETE and CAMPAIGN RALLY for the #RED_MURDAH_Inc, SHAKEDOWN KRU…

    The end justifies the means. Duty Free on used vehicles was the catch, as the people are taxed on items which depreciate in value.

    Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
    De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard

    Vere C. Edwards

  33. This guy runs the country from his Radio Station;whatever he says is a done deal. After boasting about superb growth rate and record profits at the Port, he making an about turn. What about all the grants from the UK and huge loans for road habilitation? He has now made another announcement that Wie are on the verge of borrowing millions again for the same purpose. He’s really serious about ‘BORROWING US OUT OF DEBT’; whatever that means.

  34. How much does it cost to license a car in Antigua? Now, an additional $100 would be added.I am paying $70 to license my car. There is no State Income Tax where I am living. The roads are very well maintained.

  35. @ Common sense – Engineers is not the problem. It’s who they report to is the problem. They are well capable, if they will allow them to be

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