After a tumultuous three weeks that left the South Bay's transit system at a standstill, VTA buses are back in service, relieving riders who've felt the sting of halted operations. According to ABC7 News, full bus service resumed today following a court mandate that cut a strike by ATU Local 265 members short amidst claims that the workers had breached a no-strike clause.
While buses are making their rounds once again, VTA's light rail faces a delay, impeded by necessary track inspections and the theft of vital copper wiring that, according to NBC Bay Area, has snarled the green line stretch between Santa Clara and Campbell, a mishap contributing to setbacks that sees light rail service pushed to a hopeful Monday restart though no certain timeline for the resumption of contract negotiations is yet in place.
In response to the cessation of the strike and the restoration of services, VTA has also announced discontinuing the Uber voucher program. A post from VTA's Instagram indicated that the program would end at 10:00 p.m. yesterday, marking the transit service's return to its full, scheduled operations.
While VTA claims an 18% wage increase over three years proposed by the union is beyond reach, considering it would necessitate service reductions, job cuts, and increased fares, the ATU Local 265 is not backing down. Meanwhile, from the union's perspective, the struggle continues, with the ATU president, Raj Singh, stating to NBC Bay Area, "We disagree with the judge," expressing discontent with the legal rulings that have twice thwarted their efforts.
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