With London Transit bus drivers set to strike on Monday, Nov. 16 at 12:01 a.m., The University of Western Ontario is urging students and employees who normally take the bus to and from campus to start making alternative plans now.
University administration and student leaders are continuing to work together on plans in response to the potential strike. Mediation between London Transit Commission (LTC) bus drivers (Amalgamated Transit Union Local 741) and the LTC failed to produce an agreement and no further talks are scheduled at this time.
“We remain hopeful that a transit strike will be averted, but continue to work hard on plans to help students, staff and faculty have safe commuting alternatives to get to and from campus if an agreement is not reached,” says Gitta Kulczycki, Western Vice-President (Resources and Operations).
In the event of a transit strike, Western will remain open and classes will continue. Students are expected to attend classes and employees will be required to report to work as usual.
Alternatives for those who normally take the bus include:
WALKING
If you live within a few kilometers of campus, consider walking. For those who may have to walk at night, walk with friends and stay in well-lit areas. Additional safety tips can be found at https://www.uwo.ca/police/beingaware.htm Campus Community Police will increase patrols during the hours of darkness. Foot Patrol will ensure volunteer escorts are at full strength and accommodate as many persons as possible.
BIKING
Information on cycling in London, including bike paths throughout the city can be found at https://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Transportation/bikepage.htm. Register your bicycle with the Campus Community Police in Room 57, Stevenson-Lawson Building. Information on keeping your bike secure on campus can be found at https://www.uwo.ca/police/bikesecurity.htm.
SHARING A RIDE
The University is currently developing a web portal to assist students and employees who wish to coordinate rides with others in the campus community. Information on the portal will be shared in the coming days. In the meantime, students and employees who drive to campus are encouraged to share rides with friends and colleagues who may have trouble getting to campus in the event of a transit strike. Those who share rides may wish to consider sharing parking and fuel costs. Monthly parking passes are available for purchase through Parking Services. The following coin-entry lots are available all day: Althouse North, Huron Flats and Westminster. After 4 p.m., Medway, Springett, South Valley and Chemistry lots are coin-entry. Campus parking maps can be found at https://www.uwo.ca/parking/map.html
In the event of a transit strike, those who drive to and from campus are reminded to allow for extra time as roads may be congested due to increased vehicular traffic.
“We understand the anxiety students are feeling and we want to assure them that maintaining their safety during a transit strike is our paramount concern,” says Emily Rowe, University Students’ Council President. “As we work with university administration on contingency plans, we appreciate students’ patience and ask that their frustrations not spill over to the bus drivers.”
Western is monitoring the LTC situation closely and will provide regular updates to the campus community via Western e-mail accounts and at www.uwo.ca.
