Updated to add comments from Grant and route information. “I think that this is hopefully temporary, and we won’t have to take out as much next year.” emergency room or operating room charges is 85 of the total number of claims. “There are people who commute to work, and they are important … my sense from the meeting is that nothing is permanent,” Snider said. He said that an average of 69 people a day were using five of the up-Island routes from December to April, and the VTA is essentially subsidizing those riders $29 each way. She said that ridership on the up-Island routes was low in the winter months, and it could save the VTA money if those were reduced. Snider said Grant presented the board with different scenarios to address the deficit. Grant predicted there would be a need for cuts if the union’s contract demands were met. “Why did you start a contract if you don’t have funding to fund it?” Townes said.
BUS SIMULATOR 2018 85 PERCENT ROUTE DRIVERS
Richard Townes, one of the bus drivers who was at Tuesday’s advisory board meeting, said it was a shame the routes would be cut. Edgartown’s representative Mark Snider, who was appointed Monday, and Tisbury representative Elaine Miller will attend Saturday’s meeting. “What are they thinking?”ĭrivers planned to meet on Saturday, but their meeting takes on new meaning with the news of impending route cuts. That’s not how public transportation should function,” Vanderhoop said.
In the winter, which goes from December to April 2, Grant said there may be a reservation service for some routes, but as for specifics she didn’t have any.Īquinnah selectmen chairman Juli Vanderhoop said cutting bus service was not fair to residents, students, and workers up-Island. While many of the regular routes are gone, Grant said there are plans in the works for service up-Island. Drivers ratified the agreement at the end of July. Drivers and their union, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), reached a contract agreement with the driver’s parent company, Transit Connection Inc.
Bus drivers went on a strike demanding better wages, affordable healthcare, and better workplace treatment. Meanwhile, the VTA operated its routes with seasonal drivers and managers, while eliminating some key services like the Medivan, which brings Islanders to off-Island medical appointments. The full-time bus drivers went on strike on June 28, and saw support from presidential candidates and state legislators. The VTA is under contract with the Steamship Authority (SSA) to operate Route 10, which goes from the SSA to the Tisbury Park and Ride. Route 13 also travels from Vineyard Haven to Edgartown, but goes along Beach Road in Oak Bluffs. Route 1 goes from Vineyard Haven to Edgartown along Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road. “We’re trying to do the best thing we can.” “I think we as a board acted in a responsible way to address the thing,” Alley said.
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