OC Transpo doing what they can to improve rash of bus cancellations
Posted Dec 19, 2019 01:12:00 PM.
An increase in bus cancellations has left commuters frustrated with the service they're receiving from OC Transpo.
Delays and cancellations are being blamed on an operator shortage.
Some estimates state that 120 operators are needed to help with the emergency bus routes that weren't planned months ago.
Due to the unplanned nature of these buses, OC Transpo have been left scrambling, and are offering incentives for operators to work more hours.
” We're saying hey, can you forego your vacation in that first quarter and then I believe it's a double premium so we'll pay you two for one on that, versus losing those operators, which helps us keep service running.” explained General Manager of Transportation Services John Manconi.
To address the shortage, OC Transpo is training new drivers and hopes to have at least 20 new hires on routes in January.
Manconi says starting on Dec 23 the @OC_Transpo training dept will be training 23 new operators every 36 days (6 of the 7 days of the week) until 100 new operators are trained up.
— Jenn Pritchard (@JennnPritchard) December 18, 2019
Manconi also explains that they would like to have more, but they're experiencing a trainer shortage.
He hopes to have 100 additional operators in place by summer 2020.
