What to do in case of a GO bus strike

DURHAM -- With a possible GO Transit bus strike still looming over travellers, how will they get around

Although nothing has been finalized just yet, a tentative strike date for GO Transit workers has been set for Monday, Jan. 7., with workers walking off the job at 12:01 a.m.

While trains will still be running, GO bus services, ticket sales as well as office and maintenance staff may not be in operation.

If GO bus drivers go on strike, travellers will have to find other means of transportation.

"We remain hopeful for the sake of our customers," said Stephanie Sorensen, a spokeswoman for GO Transit.

If there is a work stoppage among bus drivers, she urges GO Train customers to purchase their monthly passes early to avoid longer lineups, consider local transit and GO Trains if available in your area and link up with friends to carpool.

Ms. Sorensen also encourages GO Transit customers to pay close attention to media outlets such as websites, newspapers, radio and television to remain up to speed on the situation and to avoid being stranded in case a strike is announced.

As school resumes on Monday, many students travelling into Durham Region that rely on the GO Transit buses may be stranded.

Fraser McArthur, Durham College and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Student Association president, said carpools and local transit are viable options for students coming back to post-secondary school.

"We had the Durham Region Transit strike about a year and a half ago, so we'll be doing the same types of things if a strike happens with GO Transit," said Mr. McArthur.

The Student Association plans to put up carpool boards that were created and displayed throughout the campus previously. The purpose of the carpool boards is to give students around the campus the opportunity to network with each other in order to arrange rides into school.

"It's the best we can do to ease the situation," he said.

In the past, the Student Association tried to provide cab fares for students during the last DRT strike, but because the majority of students affected by the GO strike are further away from campus, Mr. McArthur said that cab fares would be too expensive in this case.

"Make connections and try your best to get to school and not miss classes," said Mr. McArthur when asked about advice for affected students.

Talks between GO Transit and the Amalgamated Transit Union resumed Friday morning with a mediator.