KINGSTON, Jamaica — Private Transport operators are planning to use next Monday as a day of mourning for taxi operators killed by criminals across the island.

The Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) and the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS) say they are planning to observe Monday, November 16 as “Black Monday”.

“This is a day that we will be using to remember taxi operators who have been brutally killed in the line of duty,” said Edgerton Newman, head of TODSS.

Newman said that since the start of the year, over 30 taxi operators have been murdered.

Transport operators claim four of the operators were killed within the last two days.

The latest victim, operators said, has been identified as 43-year-old Garfield Allen.

Reports are that he was shot while operating his taxi in Westmoreland at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 11.

“We are saddened at the loss of life of these men and send condolences to their family and friends,” he added.

Newman called on taxi operators to display a black ribbon on their vehicles on Monday and observe a minute of silence at 1:00 pm.

Kimmo Matthews