Feb 8th 2022: In what isn’t really a good Valentines Day present for bus riders is the possible strike starting as soon as Tuesday February 15th. The OCTA made the announcement after the coach operators union Teamsters Local 952 announced the possible strike.
Contract negotiations are on going so hopefully the strike can be averted because in this challenging times it would cause much stress to riders. Many low income riders have no other way to get around and, many could lose their jobs in a protracted strike under no fault of their own.
If the strike action does happen OC Bus will try to run as many buses as possible using management and non union employees. Under the last strike the OCTA was able too run limited services on only the busiest routes with early or late schedules especially effected.
If a strike does occur the OC Access paratransit as well as same day taxi service for people with disabilities will not be effected. The same goes for the OC Flex micro transit services which will continue as normal.
In the current situation with the ongoing pandemic as well as rising inflation many people are under a lot of stress the possibility of many not being able to get to work or important appointments is an extra stress that people don’t need. Hopefully the talks between the union and OCTA go well because a OC Bus strike is something that bus riders do not need.