SEVERAL bus operators who ply the Bayside to Spanish Town route in St Catherine, yesterday withdrew their services in protest over Tuesday night's killing of one of their colleagues and the injury of another.

According to the police, 23-year-old conductor Alloy Topey, of Greater Portmore in St Catherine was shot and killed by unknown assailants on Mandela Highway in the parish at about 7:30 pm.

They said Topey was on a bus heading towards Bayside, Portmore, when on reaching a section of the highway a female passenger requested a stop.

After the bus stopped, two men armed with hand guns reportedly approached the bus and opened fire, hitting both Topey and the driver. The driver managed to drive the bus to the hospital where he was admitted in serious condition. Topey, however, died while undergoing treatment.

Yesterday, Carl Campbell, president of the Naggo Head Bus Association, complained about the lack of police presence on the route.

"This is a part of what we go through on a daily basis. We have no security along this route," he said.

Yesterday, dozens of commuters were left stranded as the bus operators parked their vehicles outside the Central Village Police Station.

Campbell apologised for the inconvenience, but said they could not resume service until the authorities address the security problem on the route.