KINGSTON, Jamaica — Amidst the island-wide strike by bus and taxi operators, the Government of Jamaica has urged all motorists with unpaid tickets to pay their fines as stipulated as there will be no support for lawlessness and disorder.

Monday’s strike left thousands of passengers across the country stranded, while taxi operators who did not wish to participate in the strikes were beaten or had their cars damaged for not standing in solidarity with the protests.

READ: Chaotic scenes as commuters left stranded amid bus, taxi strike

In a release on Monday, the Government said it takes note of the protest action by some transport operators and stands behind all well-thinking Jamaicans. Indicating that it will not ease up in its quest to create a better transport system for all, the Government chided the action of the protesters saying their efforts have shown “complete disdain for the law.”

“All well thinking Jamaicans are concerned that these actions have not only demonstrated a disregard for the need for citizens going about their lawful business, to get to work and school but have also demonstrated complete disdain for law order and discipline,” the release read. “We call on those who are engaging in the disruption of the transport services to recognize that the government will not relent in its efforts to build a better transport sector.”

In the meantime, the Government is encouraging all law-abiding operators to continue providing their services to their fellow Jamaicans.