York Region Transit strike still possible

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TORONTO, Feb. 18, 2011 −Late Wednesday, the union representing some 200 drivers and mechanics  who operate many of the routes offered by York Region Transit rejected the tentative agreement reached last Sunday and this has placed them back in a position to strike. If no agreement is reached, a strike could be possible on Monday morning. 

Monday is the Family Day holiday and next week is Reading Week. If a strike does occur, the following transit routes bringing riders to York's Keele campus would be affected by strike action:
YRT Route 3 - Thornhill/York University
YRT Route 10 - Vaughan
YRT Route 20 - Jane/Concord
YRT Route 77 - Highway 7 (This route does not come onto the Keele campus, but it does provide service for a number of York students, faculty and staff.)

For a full list of all affected routes, visit the YRT website.

This bargaining does not affect York Region's Viva buses as they are operated by a different contractor.

Faculty, staff and students who use YRT routes to commute to the Keele campus are encouraged to seek alternative means of transportation in the event of a strike, such as carpooling, car sharing, cycling, driving to the University, taking a taxi or using alternate transit, including GO Transit, York Region Transit Viva Service and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).

The following information provides some alternatives available to YRT riders in the event of a  strike:  

  • Transit alternatives, where available, could be used to commute to the Keele campus. These include the TTC's north/south routes that extend into York Region; GO Buses or Train service; and Brampton Transit's Züm Service. 
  • Smart Commute – North Toronto, Vaughan has a free carpool ride-matching service available to all community members. The Carpool Zone can provide community members with carpooling options. 
  • Daily parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the visitor parking lots on campus. For more information about visitor parking lots and the daily rates, visit York University's Parking website. 

To obtain assistance in alternative trip planning or more information, transit users can get advice from the Smart Commute office located in the York Lanes colonnade, adjacent to the bus loop.

Additionally, they can contact the York Region Transit Customer Contact Centre at 1-866-MOVE YRT (668-3978) or e-mail Transportation Services at York University at transit@yorku.ca or Smart Commute-North Toronto, Vaughan at info@SmartCommuteNTV.ca to receive assistance.

For specific route and transit information, contact:

In the event of a labour disruption, YRT transit riders should monitor the YRT website and plan ahead and allow extra time to get to their destination. Local newspaper, television and radio stations and their associated websites will also have more information on the status of any disruption to YRT service.