The SeaBus departs North Vancouver. File photo by Cindy Goodman/North Shore News
TransLink has confirmed that 14 SeaBus sailings will be cancelled this afternoon due to the transit strike issued by Unifor, the union representing bus operators and transit maintenance workers.
Earlier today, Coast Mountain Bus Company issued a statement asking Unifor to resume contract talks. However, the initial phase of the job action began at 8 a.m., with operators not wearing their CMBC uniforms and maintenance workers not doing overtime.
Yesterday, TransLink stated that it expected the strike would result in cancellations, but that it wasn't sure which trips would be cancelled, or how many.
Now, the transit authority states that at least 14 SeaBus sailings are cancelled for this afternoon.
Vancouver Is Awesome spoke to Ben Murphy, Senior Media Relations Advisor, TransLink, who explained how the cancellations will affect service.
"The 14 sailings represent seven round-trip sailings," explained Murphy. "As a result, we expect sailings to run every 15 minutes. Right now they are every ten minutes."
Murphy adds that SeaBus increased sailings in the late summer. Before Sept. 3, they operated every 15 minutes between Waterfront and Lonsdale Quay. As such, they would be running on the previous schedule.
With this in mind, TransLink is unable to confirm how many buses will be cancelled, or on which routes service will be disrupted.
