The implementation date for increase in passport fees has been pushed back by one week.

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency’s (PICA), says the implementation date for increase in fees will take effect on Monday, June 1, instead of next Tuesday, May 26.

Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Jennifer McDonald, says the decision to delay the implementation of the increased fees follows the overwhelming turnout of people applying for passports before the increased fees take effect.

She says its offices will continue to process applications and every attempt will be made to process customers, who are at its headquarters on Constant Spring Road In Kingston.

In the meantime, effective next Tuesday, May 26 through to Friday, May 29, PICA says it will be accepting and processing passport applications at the National Indoor Sports Centre starting at 6:00 a.m. daily.

And There were chaotic scenes along Constant Spring Road this morning as scores of people rushed to renew or get passports at the PICA Head Office.

When IRIE FM News visited PICA’s head office this morning, the sick and the elderly were among people who were forced to wait outside the gate of the office.

The crowd was so big that it spilled onto the roadway causing minor traffic delays.

An IRIE FM News reporter observed elderly people and children sitting on the sidewalk waiting to be attended to.

At least two women were seen vomiting.

Several people reported that they have been waiting from as early as 4 o’clock and are yet to be attended to.

One woman complained that she was issued a ticket some eight hours ago and had still not completed her business.

Meantime, an officer on the ground says apart from the crowd, there has been no incident of violence.

PICA says customers in Kingston who are scheduled to pick up their passports can do so at The Police Officers’ Club on Hope Road.