Limited service this week
The bus drivers strike in Santa Clarita entered its second week, with limited service being offered this week.
Santa Clarita Transit canceled all bus and transit services last weekend including Dial A Ride and Access routes because of a lack of available drivers. The Dial A Ride and Access services were canceled last weekend as well.
Two emergency transit service routes were added last week in the midst of the bus drivers strike against Santa Clarita Transit, bringing five limited emergency routes, six limited school tripper routes and Dial A Ride and Access service in operation Monday through Friday. The two new emergency routes were added on Oct. 17.
The emergency routes are in operation from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Santa Clarita Transit secured a temporary emergency contract with Transit Systems to provide emergency bus service during the strike that started Oct. 10 between the union representing drivers and MV Transportation.
The emergency contract with Transit Systems began providing limited, fare-free bus service for local and school tripper routes.
There are no commuter services being provided during the strike.
Around 200 Santa Clarita Transit employees have been picketing outside the two entrances to the city transit yard daily since the strike started.
Lourdes Garcia, president of Local 572, said the union is seeking a 9% pay increase for 2022, an 8% increase for 2023 and an 8% increase for 2024, according to media reports.
MV Transportation is reportedly offering $19.75 per hour to start, with a 25-cent increase after one year, 10-cent increase after two years, 10-cent increase after three years, 15-cent increase after four years and 75-cent increase after five years.
The strike halted service for hundreds of students and passengers in the city.
Santa Clarita Transit posted on its website service was suspended on all commuter and local routes when the strike started. A driver shortage forced Santa Clarita Transit to suspend all bus service on Oct. 9.
