While some Bahamians expressed mixed views on the new fee structure that will more than double the cost of vehicle registration in some cases, most people who spoke to The Nassau Guardian yesterday agreed that the government did not give them sufficient warning before the fees were raised.

The fee hike, which comes into effect today, will place vehicles in three categories: Class A, which attracts a $150 fee includes vehicles weighing 5,000 pounds or less; Class B, which attracts a $550 fee, includes vehicles weighing 5,001 to 15,000 pounds and Class C, which attracts a $700 fee, includes vehicles weighing more than 15,000 pounds.

An additional fee of $35 (up from $25) will be added for vehicle inspection and $10 will be charged for the decal sticker.

On average people whose vehicles fall into the Class A category will pay an additional $25 overall, according to Road Traffic Controller Philip Turner, who updated the public on the changes yesterday during a press conference.

Those whose vehicles fall in Class B will go from paying an average of $210 to $595.

People whose vehicles fall in Class C will go from paying $565 on average to $745.

Lines snaked around the Department of Road Traffic's building yesterday as scores of Bahamians sought to license and register their vehicles before their birth month to avoid paying higher fees.

Turner said that most vehicle owners will not have to pay much higher costs as 80 percent of the more than 140,000 vehicles registered in The Bahamas fall under Class A.

He said 12 percent of the registered vehicles fall in Class C. The remainder fall in Class B.

"So we need not panic from that standpoint to find out where does my car fall. The majority of the cars on the road fall under class A," he said.

The previous fee structure was based on the total measurement of a vehicle, with a total of 19 categories. As of today, vehicles will be licensed by the manufacturer's curb weight.

Turner explained that the curb weight is the weight of an empty vehicle with a full tank of gas, required oils, spare tire and tools.

Several people expressed anger and disappointment over the government's decision to raise the fees.

James Woodside, whose registration does not expire until September, said he has a Class B vehicle and the new fee will be too high.

"If it was $100 or even $200, it would have been bearable but to jump up to $550 plus the decal fee, you're looking at a person that has a truck like mine paying over $600 and I don't own a business but I need a truck," he said, indicating his large frame. "I can't drive a little small car."

Woodside said he registered his vehicle yesterday to avoid having to pay the increased fees until next year.

Portia Moss, another motorist agreed that the hike is too high, too soon.

"I think it's going to crush the Bahamian people," she said. "I know it's rough but what they're doing is more rough on the Bahamian people. I think they should have put it a little lower and wait until next year."

Another motorist, Charles Hall, had another view, however.

He said he does not have a problem with the increased fees at all.

"I think the government has to do what's necessary to fund the deficit," he said. "It's a part of moving forward. [Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham] should be complimented for strength of his conviction to make decisions as unpopular as they may be. As Bahamians we have got to learn to tighten our belts," he continued.

Ciclyn Simmons also acknowledged the importance of the government's effort to increase revenue. However, she said the government should have given more advanced notice.

"I think the fees are exorbitant," she said. "But I realize that we need to get some income. So I'm not against that. I just feel that perhaps we could have gotten a little more warning. Things are tight and tough and everything comes up and some people don't even have the income. But I understand government's dilemma but we also have to appreciate that fact that persons would not all be able to absorb that increase so soon."

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