TransJamaican Highway is in talks with the Government of Jamaica over a multimillion-dollar compensation claim after toll collections were suspended for more than two weeks during Hurricane Melissa, a move that cost the company an estimated US$3.5 million.

That issue has quickly become one of the most closely watched developments surrounding the toll road operator, even as the company reports a strong financial year. Group CEO Ivan Anderson, speaking on Taking Stock with Kalilah Reynolds, said discussions with the government are ongoing, with the company expecting a response soon.

The suspension, which lasted roughly 15 days, allowed over one million vehicles to pass through toll plazas without payment. Anderson argues that while the company has historically absorbed short-term closures during emergencies, the scale of this shutdown is unprecedented and warrants compensation. He pointed to provisions in the concession agreement that, in the company’s view, support such a claim.

Despite that setback, TransJamaican Highway still delivered a strong performance in 2025. The company generated US$91 million in revenue, with revenues up 10 per cent and profits rising more than 20 per cent year-over-year.

According to Anderson, increased traffic continues to be a major driver. Vehicle usage climbed to roughly 29 million trips last year, boosted by growing demand from commuters travelling between Kingston, Portmore and Spanish Town.

He said congestion on alternative routes, particularly the Spanish Town bypass, is pushing more drivers onto the toll road. At the same time, improvements to the highway’s operations have made it more attractive, with shorter wait times and increased use of electronic toll tags helping to ease traffic flow.

The company has also been investing in technology upgrades, including near real-time account top-ups, WhatsApp payment options and faster toll processing systems. In some lanes, transactions now take as little as six seconds, significantly improving throughput.

Meanwhile, the May Pen to Williamsfield extension is meeting expectations, both in traffic volumes and projected revenue, adding another layer of growth for the business.

Even rising fuel prices have not yet dented demand. Anderson noted that traffic levels in early 2026 remain up about four per cent, although he cautioned that prolonged increases could eventually affect travel patterns.

For now, the focus remains split between growth, dividends and resolving the compensation question—one that could set an important precedent for how public-private partnerships operate during national emergencies.