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smuncky said:
so here's my experience today.

got on the bus going south at ~6am. Most of the stops had 5-6 people waiting. took a good 35 min to get to finch from 16th ave. when it usually takes ~20 during the same time. city news was there reporting but no sign of any picketers.

coming back home at around 10:30, the 99 bus was packed as i've never seen before. even in the pre-viva days. heading up to richmond hill centre, that's where the picketing was happening. they are blocking buses for roughly 10 min each on the way in and out. with the bus full and emotions running high, as we were let through, a good chunk of people were giving the one finger salute to the bus blockers.

so the usual bus ride of 30min doubled into an hour because of this business.
Click to expand...
This is why there is so much hostility toward the to TTC and other public transit stations.. they are taking it out on the commuters, that already had to find an alternative route and now have to deal with these damn picketers? Its not our fault that they are not happy with their contract.

I would not be surprised if there is some very hostile reaction to the viva drivers when they get back to work. I for one was supporting the idea behind the strike because of the some of their concerns are pretty big but now.. fuck them.. striking is one thing but actually blocking the buses and stopping already stressed out people from going anywhere is bullshit.
 
i have the exact same opinion. go ahead and strike and let it be known that you're striking. hell there's plenty of space at RHC to do it at. but you're only digging yourselves a hole by not getting the commuters on your side.
 
Unlike the TTC workers, the Veiola workers have a pretty legitimate reason to go on strike - the sick day issue particuarly. Even with the TTC, there would be some sympathy if there were communications and notice before disrupting people's lives. This isn't GM or even OPSEU, where people will be directly affected as soon as a strike hits.

The province isn't likely to force Viva drivers back to work, and there are limited transit alternatives in York, so the sudden screwjob to the customers is totally unnecessary. And blocking the other buses is such a stupid, self-defeating move when it's a non-industrial strike - the point of picket barricades is to prevent scabs or management from taking over production, not to antagonize the public - information pickets or protests or blocking Veiola's and even YRT's offices would have made more sense. But at least they are picketing, unlike the TTC workers who merely get a day off.

The problem is Kinnear and his Klowns at ATU 113. Kinnear strikes again.
 
same stuff this morning at RHC with the blocking of the buses.

going into finch today, the picketers were blocking northbound buses as they were leaving finch terminal which caused total backlog at the bus bays.

however, instead of turning to RHC, the 99 dropped people off at high tech/yonge which makes a lot of sense.

this better get resolved by monday.
 
Looks like this is not going to get resolved anytime soon, anyone have details of new talks?
 
York Region seeks court injunction against ATU Local 113
in effort to ease rush hour delays and relieve traffic safety concerns

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York will seek an injunction today from the Superior Court of Justice against Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 in an effort to ease rush hour delays experienced by commuters on York Region Transit (YRT) routes at Finch Station and other terminals.

The commuter delays are a result of service blockages which have occurred during the ATU's ongoing strike against Veolia Transportation Inc.

York Region has made efforts to accommodate the ATU’s legal right to picket during the strike that began September 25th, while also ensuring the comfort and safety of our passengers and the general public. During weekday rush hour periods, YRT buses have been illegally blocked from entering and exiting Finch Station and other terminals, causing delays of more than 70 minutes and unsafe traffic conditions.

The Region has been unsuccessful in maintaining a high level of service to our customers, despite attempts to relieve the blockages caused by ATU Local 113. In an effort to ensure the continued safety and comfort of passengers, York Region will be requesting an injunction to prevent further illegal blockages and
unreasonable delays.

Veolia Transportation Inc. is under contract to The Regional Municipality of York to provide Viva bus rapid transit service. Veolia operators represented by ATU Local 113 have been on strike since Thursday, September 25th after rejecting a tentative collective agreement reached between the union and Veolia Transportation Inc.

Viva provides five bus rapid transit routes along major York Region corridors, including Yonge Street and Highway 7, with links to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway at Don Mills, Finch and Downsview Station.

For more information, please visit the YRT/Viva website at www.yrt.ca or call the Customer Service Centre at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978).

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

http://www.yrt.ca/news/09-30-2008.asp
 
The behavior of ATU Local 113 is outrageous, given that some of YRT passengers don't use VIVA even when it is running. For example, those who use routes 2 John, 5 Clarke, 77 Hwy 7 to get to Finch, have little use of VIVA.

Those passengers should launch a class-action lawsuit against ATU Local 113 and its executives.
 
York Region reaches memorandum of agreement with ATU Local 113 to reduce YRT service delays and address traffic safety concerns

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York has reached a memorandum of agreement today with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 to reduce commuter delays and address public safety concerns associated with picketing at Finch Station and other terminals experienced during the ongoing strike between the union and Veolia Transportation Inc.

The agreement reached this afternoon will allow YRT buses to enter freely at terminals and will limit exiting vehicle delays.

The agreement is in response to York Region’s decision to pursue an injunction from the Superior Court of Justice to address the service delays and unsafe traffic conditions experienced by YRT customers during the ATU Local 113 ongoing strike against Veolia Transportation Inc.

Quality and availability of service during the strike period is a priority for York Region and all efforts will be made to ensure the ongoing comfort and safety of our passengers and the general public.

York Region supports the right of union labour action and will continue to work with ATU Local 113 to accommodate lawful picketing during the strike period. If the terms of today’s settlement are not upheld, or if other issues relating to safety or service delays arise, the matter of an injunction can be returned to court.
 
The Regional Municipality of York is pleased to advise residents that Viva services will resume Saturday October 11 at 6 a.m. Operators represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 ratified their contract with Veolia Transportation Inc.

All Viva and YRT routes will operate on regular schedules beginning October 11. Some delays may be experienced while service resumes.

To help answer some common questions, here is a Q&A page (updated October 8th).

Media Releases
LATEST: October 10th
Viva services to resume tomorrow. ATU Local 113 operators reach agreement with Veolia Transportation Inc.
Warm up with YRT/Viva from October 14th to 16th YRT/Viva staff to greet riders with hot drinks during first week of returned Viva service.

The Regional Municipality of York is warming up YRT/Viva commuters with a hot chocolate/coffee giveaway and personal message of thanks between Tuesday, October 14th and Thursday, October 16th following the return of Viva service on Saturday, October 11th.

During morning and afternoon rush hours, YRT/Viva staff will be stationed at terminals and busy intersections throughout the Region to offer you a warm pick-me-up and thank you for your patience during the Viva strike.

Thank you for your continued support of YRT/Viva. Your ridership is important to us.
 
Yea that's strange looks like all the VIVA increases were cut except VIVA blue off peek.

Actually there isn't much there ... well I shouldn't say that. There is a little for everyone. But I guess that's what makes sense. But it seems like the went back on some increases I noticed before.
 
a couple of new express routes on Bathurst and Bayview starting November 16.

NEW Route 88E – Limited Express will provide weekday morning northbound service from Finch GO Bus Terminal at 6:55 a.m. and 7:05 a.m., arriving at Seneca College King Campus at approximately 7:40 a.m. and 7:50 a.m., respectively.

NEW Route 88E will only service stops at Bathurst St. & Steeles Ave., Promenade Terminal and Bathurst St. & Elgin Mills Rd. No other local stops will be made on this service.
No Express fare is required for Route 88E trips.
Click to expand...


Route 340 – Bayview Express will be renamed and renumbered to Route 91E – Bayview South Express. Customers boarding 91E – Bayview South Express will no longer have to pay an Express fare.
Click to expand...
 
Fare hike, new routes on horizon for transit riders

Regional News
October 24, 2008 02:45 PM

By: David Fleischer, Staff Writer

The new year will bring new routes for our transit system and new fare hikes for transit riders.

York Region Transit’s 2009 draft plan, which hikes adult fares from $2.40 to $2.60, was approved this week by regional council.

Staff considered several options for fare changes, which come into effect on Jan. 1, 2009, before recommending an increase on all tickets and passes, holding the cash fare at $3.

The cost of 10 adult tickets rises to $26 from $24 and a multipass will cost 10.5 per cent more, at $46.

Student tickets are also seeing increases, with a package of 10 costing $19 and a pass rising from $65 to $75.

The average 8.1 per cent increase is another in a series for YRT riders. Fares climbed 6.57 per cent last year and, in 2006, adult fares were $2.20 while students paid $1.70.

Aside from the adult fares, most of YRT’s rates are below the average of other GTA transit services.

“We’ve seen enormous pressure because of fuel prices,” YRT head Don Gordon said.

They cost the transit system $5 million more in 2008 than projected and the increase will barely off-set that.”

“What we’re really trying to do is find a reasonable balance between what users pay and what taxpayers pay,” he said.

Right now, the fare box accounts for about 40 per cent of revenues but they aim to achieve a 50-50 split.

The draft plan still needs to be reviewed by stakeholders and then pass the budget process before YRT knows how much of their wish list will be fulfilled.

The plan prioritizes improving schedule reliability as well as offering better service to growing areas.

“It’s important that people moving into new areas know public transit is there before buying that second or third vehicle,” Mr. Gordon said.

While Viva provides express service on Yonge Street and Hwy. 7, YRT hopes to add similar express services on other north-south streets, such as Bathurst, Bayview and Jane.

The use of passes is increasingly common, partly due to a federal tax credit and could grow with the implementation of an integrated fare smart card called Presto.

Expected to become the standard across transit systems, it is being rolled out in the western GTA, and should hit York Region in late 2010 or early 2011.

A survey of local transit users found respondents almost evenly split on what is most important to them. More frequent service was the choice of 26 per cent, while 22 per cent opted for longer hours, 21 per cent cited reliability and schedule adherence while 20 per cent wanted better area coverage.

Weekends and rush hours were considered the most in need of service improvements.

KEY PLAN HIGHLIGHTS

• New routes in established subdivisions such as Millken and Major Mackenzie/Weston Road.

• Service to new subdivisions such as Box Grove, Cornell, Queen Filomena and Millard Street

• New GO train expansions, in anticipation of expanded service on the Barrie line

• New express service on corridors such as Bathurst, Bayview and Jane Street

• Improved reliability on existing routes and expansion of Dial-a-Ride
-----------------------------------------
The only thing they have it wrong in that article is that the multipass will cost $106 and not $46.
 
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