To the relief of London Transit users, including thousands of Western students, faculty and staff, a contract was struck with the union on Dec. 14, ending a 29-day strike.
Several formal initiatives – Mustangs Moving Mustangs, community vans, share-a-ride and flag-a-ride programs, and a bike check – as well as informal arrangements provided rides for students, faculty and staff.
“I know what a talented group of people work at Western, but occasions like this serve to reinforce just how blessed we are,” says Gitta Kulczycki, Vice-President (Resources and Operations).
“Since we are here to further the interests of education and learning and to see Western students be successful, what more can we ask for?”
The University Emergency Operations Control Group worked with leadership from the University Students’ Council and the Society of Graduate Students in coordinating response.
Information systems experts from various departments built the “share a ride” portal in three days. The volunteer van program – with all of the logistics around dispatching, getting vans, arranging staging locations, and coordinating initial volunteers – was assembled in a similar timeline.
The van service was among the most-used alternative transportation methods.
Susan Grindrod, Associate Vice-President Housing & Ancillary Services, says more than 30,000 people used the shuttles, which had pickups at six local businesses.
Although a settlement had been reached, transit buses did not resume a regular schedule until Jan. 4. To make sure students had transportation during exams, community vans continued until the last day of the exam period on Dec. 22.
More than 150 volunteers drove the vans during the 30 days the service was offered (weekdays only) and on the busiest days, 40 vans were on the roads.
“Our volunteers came together to help our students and staff who rely on public transit to get to campus,” says Grindrod.
According to the London Transit Commission, credits for the tuition-based bus pass programs will be arranged as set out in contracts with the student councils.
The USC has informed students it will receive compensation in the form of 50 cents per student per day after the first 72 hours of the strike, as laid out in the contract.
Some additional expenses were incurred by the USC and the university during the transit strike. A formal audit will be performed and more information will soon be made available to students.