KINGSTON, Jamaica — Commuters were left stranded on Tuesday after several employees at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) withdrew their services.

Drivers at the Rockfort, Portmore and Spanish Town depots, represented by the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) did not turn up at work, leaving the terminals in Half Way Tree and Downtown Kingston practically empty of buses and full of deserted travellers.

The JUTC advised that the strike action was prompted by an incident on Friday where a driver was allegedly assaulted. It is alleged that the scuffle involved two employees of the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) bargaining group, a wife and husband. The incident is currently being investigated.

“While we acknowledge the concerns raised, we believe the industrial action is unnecessary, as the matter is being handled with due process,” the JUTC said, indicating that the employees had since been from frontline duties without any loss of benefit.

The drivers are reportedly calling for the firing of the two UCASE employees which the JUTC says is not possible until the investigation is complete.

“The demand for immediate termination of employees without a full investigation is not a course of action the company can take,” it said, adding that the withdrawal of service will result in disruptions on several routes.

“The JUTC is implementing contingency measures to minimise the impact on commuters, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.”

Commuters wait for JUTC buses during strike on Tuesday (Ramon Thompson)

(Video Ramon Thompson)