Bus strike could cause major problems for Langara
The possibility of a transit strike has some students worrying about getting to class
By Ray Chopping
Updated Oct. 31, 2019: Translink has confirmed that Unifor will take strike action beginning with a uniform ban by operators, and an overtime ban by maintenance workers. Students should be prepared for a reduction in bus and SeaBus services as soon as 8:00 am tomorrow.
Updated Oct. 30, 2019: Unifor locals 111 and 2200 issued 72 hours’ notice of a possible strike action.
Bus drivers will be walking off the job as early as Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, many Langara students and staff will face some disruptions to transit service. The college has said in the event of job action, it will remain open as usual with regularly scheduled classes and services.
Limited travel options
Langara’s 2017 Transportation Survey Report showed that 88 percent of respondents used transit to reach the campus.
Aaron Marty, an environmental studies student, said that a transit strike would be very problematic for him.
“My only way to get here would be taxi,” said Marty.
Situated on South Vancouver’s 49 Ave., Langara College is primarily serviced by the 49 bus route, the second busiest bus route in the province.
Studio 58 theatre student Sofie Kane said, “It’s the main way we get to school.”
While the survey showed that transit was a prominent option for respondents located in Vancouver, the results suggest that transit is even more popular among those traveling from further away. The survey stated that 96 percent of respondents located in Surrey relied on transit.
Business administration student Srikant Raturi said that a transit strike would be devastating for him as he relies heavily on the transit system.
“I take two buses and a train, so I don’t think I’d be able to reach the college,” said Raturi.
Moving Forward
The college is encouraging students, staff, and faculty to find alternative transportation, suggesting options such as carpools or cycling.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and considering our plans should there be job action by transit workers,” Sherry Chin-Shue, director of human resource operations at Langara,” said in an earlier email.
In 2001, transit operators went on strike for over 100 days, in what became Metro Vancouver’s longest transit strike to date.
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