KINGSTON, Jamaica — People’s National Party (PNP) spokesman of transport and works, Mikael Phillips says commuters should not be victimised despite the grief gripping the transport sector and the temptation to withdraw bus services.

Phillips’ statement was in response to bus drivers at the Jamaican Urban Transit Company (JUTC) withdrawing their service this morning following the murder of their colleague.

The deceased driver, whose identity has not yet been ascertained, was shot dead following the stabbing death of a taxi operator, allegedly by a JUTC driver.

As such, taxi drivers who ply the Duhaney Park to Half Way Tree route in St Andrew also withdrew their service in protest this morning.

Read: Transport operators strike after JUTC driver, taxi operator killed

Phillips said while most taxi services are operating, the withdrawal of the buses is causing severe hardship for the commuting public, particularly children.

Adding that normality must be returned to the sector as quickly as possible, the Opposition spokesman called on the police to provide the necessary guarantees to JUTC employees who are in fear of their lives. He said the police should hasten their investigations so justice is served.

He further called on the police to ensure a safe environment for all workers and commuters in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region and urged calm among all elements of the public transport sector.

Meanwhile, Phillips offered his assistance in any way possible to the Minister of Transport, Robert Montague, in an effort to restore normality to the service.