But it took the threat of the Feds stepping in to order them back to work before it happened as they had basically come to a stalemate. Both sides have now
agreed to go to binding arbitration which is what the city tried to suggest over 2 weeks ago but the Union wouldn't agree! The first busses will roll out
after about a week or so and they reported it should take about 2 months to get all the busses safety inspected and back out on the streets again!! Thank
goodness it's over!
0 Kudo
After 51 days, the Ottawa bus strike is finally over!!
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 NancyOttawa |
After 51 days, the Ottawa bus strike is finally over!! |
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Posts: 3788 (01/29/2009 6:30 PM) |
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 hailie135 |
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Posts: 5666 (01/29/2009 10:18 PM) |
Yay!!!! This whole experience has made me so bitter towards the city and the union, but I seriously can't wait to ride the bus again.
 Hopefully the
major routes will be running by the end of the next week... I'm so sick of my carpool.
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UsHere |
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Posts: 107 (01/29/2009 10:25 PM) |
I am so relieved! Despite the fact that I will be happy to see the buses back on the roads (so that I can actually get around again), neither side in this
fight has any respect from me. Yes, the union kept turning down the City's offers - but no offer from the City was substantially different from the one
before it. Neither side was willing to compromise, and I am really disappointed in these people...
But regardless! The buses are coming back! 
I wonder what types of discounts, etc., will be available to those of us who kept our Dec bus passes. We could have taken them in for reimbursement, but I was told to hang onto them, because additional discounts would be available once the buses came back. |
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NancyOttawa |
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Posts: 3791 (01/30/2009 7:05 AM) |
Here's what was reported on how they will first return.
OC Transpo has a tentative plan for restoring transit service as quickly as possible, but a return to full service will take some time. Mechanics are working to bring all the buses back, but vehicles that haven't had significant maintenance in more than 50 days can't all be put on the roads immediately. This is OC Transpo's tentative plan for which routes will be back first. Weekdays Will operate during their regularly scheduled day, including rush hours: • O-Train • All school routes, numbered in the 600s • Rapid transit routes 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 101, 102 and 106 • Major routes 2, 7, 12, 14, 85, 86 and 118 • Peak employment route 105 • Van route 123 • Early morning routes 824, 825, 830, 835, 837, and 873 Will operate evenings and mid-day only, outside of rush hours: • Routes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 16, 18, 87, 111, 112, 114, 115, 116 and 117 • Local black routes numbered 121 through 178 Will not operate immediately: • Green express and rural express routes • Red rush hour routes other than 102 and 105 Saturday & Sunday All routes that normally run on weekends will operate at full service. |
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NancyOttawa |
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Posts: 3799 (01/31/2009 1:59 PM) |
So it appears that most of us still won't have peak hour service now until April!!! That's ludicrous! So that leaves many people still relying on
others to get a ride to work for another 2 months. I can't adjust my hours to only travel to work with mid-day service. They need me there first thing in
the morning.
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NancyOttawa |
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Posts: 3810 (02/03/2009 7:04 AM) |
Well better news today as it appears OCT smartened up and are adding better routes for everyone to get around the city. I'm thrilled that starting Monday I
can finally start bussing back to work. I hope it works out better for you both also (Hailie and UsHere). Great timing for the Feds to step in with Winterlude
starting up and Obama's visit scheduled for February 19th!
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