Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz has condemned the recent stabbing of a Jamaica Urban Transit Company’s (JUTC) bus driver on April 11.

“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”, said Vaz.

The minister noted that the drivers play a crucial role in the transport sector and deserve our utmost respect and expressed his sympathy to the affected bus driver and his family.

“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,” he contended. 

He further noted, “In light of this incident and out of concern for the safety of our transport operators, I urge all stakeholders to come together to protect our 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”.

The transport minister has 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.