The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is appealing to the island’s taxi drivers for a restoration of their services and a demonstration of their commitment to public order in Jamaica.

Robin Russell, president of the JHTA, described as “irresponsible” the decision by the taxi operators to withdraw their services for three days in retaliation for the Government’s denial of a request for a traffic ticket amnesty.

Noting that taxi drivers are a critical part of the transportation sector, providing service for locals and visitors alike, Russell said: “We know that there are many law-abiding taxi drivers who, like the rest of us, devote their time to working to take care of their families. It cannot be that they are subsumed by those who are lawless, do not pay their traffic tickets and expect to get a ‘bligh’ from their obligations. This strike action has crippled the nation, inconvenienced thousands of every age, every level of the society – children can’t get to school, adults can’t get to work. This is highly irresponsible behaviour by the taxi drivers.”

Russell added: “The taxi drivers are defending the indefensible, especially against a backdrop of record fatalities from motor vehicle accidents this year. Every day we wake up to reports of more carnage on our roads and the authorities are absolutely correct to take a stand against the lawlessness that prevails on our streets. We should all be committed to public order and the safety of our families and communities.”