The taxi operators gathered with placards in hand to highlight their grouses.
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The operators say the poor state of the road is costing them financially, but they are also concerned for their safety.
Guy's Hill High School was forced to close due to the road protest.
Some students from Guy's Hill Primary were unable to attend school.
Pamella Derrett, Vice Principal of Guy's Hill Primary School
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Taxi operator Wayne Brooks and Pamella Derrett, Vice Principal of Guy's Hill Primary School
By Kimone Witter/Nakinskie Robinson
Scores of taxi operators who ply several routes in Linstead, St. Catherine withdrew their services on Monday morning to protest against the poor state of the New Works main road.
The taxi operators did not block the road but gathered peacefully to highlight their grouses.
"Operating on this road on a daily basis, it is costing us, taxi operators, very much. Every weekend, sometimes in the middle of the week, you have to go to the garage and check your vehicle. Sometimes you spend the least $30,000 just for parts alone," lamented Wayne Brooks, who plies the Linstead to Guy's Hill route.
Aside from the damage to their vehicles, the taxi operators also expressed concern for their safety when they have to slow down to manoeuvre potholes.
Mr. Brooks said this risk has led him and other operators to stop working late at night to protect themselves.
Schools disrupted
Guy's Hill High School had to close its doors after students and staff were left stranded by the protest which involved residents and some 60 taxi operators.
At Guy's Hill Primary School, several students were among those stranded, but Vice Principal Pamella Derrett explained that three quarters of the school population turned up.
"Currently most of our teachers are really from the Linstead area, but most of them drive and few who don't drive, they will ride with others. So we have all teachers here today. But for some students, they were unable to be in. Parents called to say they could not come because of the taxi situation. So we currently have 77 per cent," she noted.
But with the taxi operators indicating they could extend the demonstration into next week if their concerns are not addressed, the vice principal said this could widen the effect on staff and students.
"Roughly 50 per cent of the staff would be affected, the teaching staff and also ancillary staff coming from that side. And the children who will be coming from that side would be affected."
In the meantime, Stephen Shaw, Communications Manager at the National Works Agency, said the New Works main road is about 20 kilometres long and will require significant funding.
Stressing that 1 kilometre alone would take about $35 to $40 million to be rehabilitated, Mr. Shaw said once the funds are provided, work will begin to fix the road.
In the interim, he said plans are in place to carry out patching, but that is also dependent on financial support from the government.
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