Halifax has canceled 75 bus trips due to a shortage of transport staff. The union representing drivers says staffing levels are likely to deteriorate before improving.
Urban Transportation Union President Shane O'Leary said that out of about 3,970 bus trips on a weekday in Halifax, he said 75 cancellations were "unprecedented. ” said that it is a thing.
Read more: Halifax Transit cancels more bus trips amid staff shortages
City bus drivers, accessible van drivers and ferry drivers are leaving their jobs because wages cannot keep up with rising costs of living and working hours are demanding.
He said it was common for many Halifax transit workers to work 60 to 70 hours a week, and by 2022 about 40 transit workers will have retired so far.
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Global News In a previous interview with, O'Leary said that transportation drivers were overwhelmed and overworked.
He apologized to the public for the service gap, but stressed that the public "doesn't know what's going on behind the scenes."
READ MORE: HOW HALIFAX TRANSIT'S STAFF SHORTAGE HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM
RUN SYSTEMS It's a choice to keep going. The people at the ferry are there by choice to keep the system running and to do what they can," he said.
"And you know what? It tends to burn people out." Halifax said it was actively recruiting new carriers in hopes of easing. is paying $22.88 per hour.
This Canadian Press report was first published on August 8, 2022.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
