KINGSTON, Jamaica —Transport Minister Daryl Vaz is urging witnesses to step forward following the recent stabbing of a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus driver. Vaz emphasised the importance of swift justice in addressing the incident and highlighted the daily challenges faced by drivers.

In a statement on Friday, Vaz commended the driver for his composure and appealed to passengers and witnesses to cooperate with the authorities.

“I applaud the driver for remaining calm under such circumstances and appeal to passengers and witnesses to come forward and tell the police what you know so the perpetrator of this heinous act can swiftly be brought to justice.”

On Thursday, JUTC drivers on the Portmore to downtown Kingston route briefly halted services following reports of the stabbing of their colleague while on duty.

The driver was reportedly stabbed after he refused to let off a passenger at a non-designated point. He is now in stable condition.

READ: JUTC driver stabbed after reportedly refusing to stop at non-designated location

READ: UPDATE: JUTC driver who was stabbed now in stable condition

While condemning the incident, Vaz said, “The safety and well-being of our transport workers are paramount, and any act of violence against them is unacceptable. The stabbing of the JUTC driver is not only a tragic event but also a stark reminder of the challenges our drivers/essential workers face daily.”

He noted that the drivers play a crucial role in the transport sector and deserve respect. He also expressed his sympathy to the affected bus driver and his family.

The minister also called for all stakeholders to come together to protect essential workers.

“We will obviously have to consider our options to better protect our workers who leave their homes before the crack of dawn each morning to provide service to the people of this country. Additionally, I appeal to all JUTC employees to remain vigilant and report any concerns they may have regarding their safety while on duty,” Vaz said.

He further called for a united front from operators, passengers and the general public to fight against violence and ensure that Jamaica’s transport sector remains a safe environment.