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It has been just over a year since the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) rolled out new banknotes, boasting upgraded security features, durability, and a fresh modern design.

But for many Jamaicans, the new bills are more headache than helpful--complaints about fading ink and easy tearing are stacking up like overdue bills.

Kingston vendor, Claudia, says she has to be very careful when handling the new polymer note.

"Mi nah rough up mi money. Mi tuck dem neat inna pouch. Still, mi see one start bleach out like bleach catch it. Mi never see money lose colour suh," she said.

The old cotton banknotes were pulled from circulation on July 1. Last year, the BOJ said many cotton notes have had to be redeemed and destroyed within a short space of time because they were folded, crushed, soiled, and/or torn. It said the new polymer was expected to last up to 50 per cent longer.

The BOJ had promised to respond to questions about the durability of the new banknotes and whether it has received complaints since the rollout. However, up to press time, no response was provided.

Meanwhile, another Kingston resident, Keisha, is disappinted with the conditions of a lot of new notes she has encountered. She said that many of them are faded, and are prone to tearing easily.

"Mi pull it and haffi squint. It already look mash up," she said. "Mi tape two note already from di year start. Mi neva haffi do dat with di old money. Mi caah a babysit mi cash."

In Cross Roads, bar owner Basil says his biggest gripe is how fragile the bills are, especially in a fast-moving, high-contact environment like a bar.

"Mi fold one regular inna mi pocket, and it start tear same time. Dem money yah soft like tissue," he said. "The old bills coulda take a beating--these can't even manage a breeze."

He added, "Inna bar, money get wet, shove up, everything. Mi need money fi tough, not delicate."

A taxi operator on the Papine to Half-Way Tree route echoed similar issues.

"If yuh sweat pon it, it start fade. Mi fold a $100 and by time mi smooth it out, it tear. Dem nuh mek strong," he said.

While the BOJ said that the notes were designed to last longer under heavy use, the experience of the cabbie and others on the ground tells a different story.

"Yuh haffi triple check now," a taxi operator said. "Count it. Smooth it. Hope it nuh tear. Cause one slip, and yuh bruck."