News Archives 2007
New GoTime System Testing in Progress
(Updated on November 26, 2007)
Metro Transit has been in the process of replacing the GoTime system, which tracks the buses and provides real-time departure information to passengers. Throughout this transition, passengers have been receiving scheduled time only from both the old and new GoTime system.
In conjunction with the system upgrade over the summer, Metro Transit also replaced all of the bus stop signs with a newly designed sign featuring the new Metro Transit logo and a new prefix of 480 to access the GoTime system.
The sign replacement is now complete! Metro Transit passengers should now use only the new GoTime system with the new prefix of 480 + the new bus stop number found on the new signs. The old prefix does not work with the new GoTime numbers. The new GoTime numbers for all of the major timepoints can be found in the new Riders’ Guide, issued August 19, 2007 or on the Schedules and Route Maps page.
The new GoTime system will continue to provide scheduled time only until testing of the new system is complete and the proper hardware is installed on all 256 buses and Supervisor vehicles. Once the new system is fully implemented, it well be much more efficient for both our passengers and operations staff. It is now anticipated to be fully implemented by early 2008.
We regret any inconvenience this may cause to transit passengers. More information on how to use the new system will be communicated over the next few months. For more information on the system upgrade, contact the HRM Call Centre at
490-4000.
Dartmouth Events Plaza Park & Ride temporarily re-located
Please be advised the Park & Ride lot at the Dartmouth Events Plaza will be temporarily relocated from November 2007 through June 2008 due to construction of a large energy efficiency project at Alderney Gate. The temporary lot will be located at the Dartmouth Marine Slips, at a reduced fee of $20 per month plus the purchase of a MetroPass.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you would like more information, please contact Alderney Landing at 461-4698 or the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000.
Woodside Ferry passengers should be advised that an extra trip has been added to the Woodside Ferry schedule to help accommodate NSCC students, effective Monday, September 10, 2007.
The extra trip will depart Woodside in the afternoon at 2:52 p.m. arriving at the Halifax Ferry Terminal at 3:04 p.m. The return trip to Woodside will depart Halifax at 3:07 p.m., arriving at 3:19 p.m.
Please review the revised Woodside Ferry schedule below:
From Woodside
6:37 am – 9:37 am (30-minute frequency)
2:52 pm – 5:52 pm (30-minute frequency)
From Halifax
6:52 am – 9:52 am (30-minute frequency)
3:07 pm – 6:07 pm (30-minute frequency)
Woodside Park & Riders, be advised that beginning September 1, parking will no longer be free for everyone. Only those transit passengers with proof of a monthly MetroPass will be eligible for free parking at the Woodside Ferry Terminal, due to increased demand for the lot. Passes are to be shown to the Commissionaire upon entrance to the Park & Ride Lot.
This is being introduced to ensure that regular ferry and bus commuter passengers have ample space to park. Parking meters will be installed in the lot for those people without a MetroPass.
Canada Revenue Agency tells monthly public transit pass holders:Keep your Pass!
The Federal Government announced that effective July 1st, 2006, transit pass holders would be eligible for a tax credit.
The Canada Revenue Agency has outlined a list of conditions for people to receive their tax credit. Of the conditions listed, the only one transit systems do not currently practice is to print the price on their monthly passes. Most systems, including Metro Transit, produce their passes a year in advance and have not yet had a chance to respond to this new stipulation. However, in lieu of a pass with a price on it, the Federal Government also advises that transit passengers may obtain a dated receipt to support their claim to submit with their transit pass. All Metro Transit Pass Retail Outlets will issue receipts to customers upon request for the purchase of monthly MetroPasses.
Link to the attached new release and Q and A document (in PDF format).
More information on how to obtain a tax credit for transit passes is available on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website at www.cra.gc.ca.
HRM and ATU Local 508 Negotiations Update
September 30, 2007
METRO TRANSIT UNION, MANAGEMENT, REACH TENTATIVE DEAL
Members of negotiation teams for the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 508 and Metro Transit management reached a tentative deal at 1:25 p.m. today, averting a transit strike.
"The teams worked through the weekend to reach an agreement and we’re happy that the traveling public can now expect service on Monday," says Mayor Peter Kelly. "We also have been able to achieve what we needed to regarding hours of rest and scheduling, so we’ve been able to deliver on our commitment to public safety," says Mayor Kelly.
The union was in a position to withdraw service as of Monday, October 1st. "Both sides worked all weekend to make this happen," says Mike Labrecque, HRM Director of Transportation and Public Works. The teams met Friday evening and worked until late, reconvening early Saturday morning. They then worked through the night and into Sunday afternoon to reach the tentative deal. The deal will now go before the union membership for ratification. Labrecque says the salary offer in the agreement is within the mandate given to the management team by HRM Council.
A strike would have affected Metro Transit conventional fixed routes, MetroLink, Community Transit, ferry service and Access-A-Bus for the duration of the work stoppage.
Metro Transit Strike Averted
Sunday, September 30, 2007 @ 1:25pm
After sitting at the bargaining table all weekend, HRM management and ATU Local 508, which represents the transit workers, have signed a collective agreement and will not be going on strike. The union was in a legal strike position as of 2:25pm, Friday, September 28, 2007 and had threatened to walk of the job on Monday morning had an agreement not been reached. Both sides were able to achieve some consessions which led to a resolution without job action.
HRM and ATU Local 508 Negotiations Update
Update: September 28, 2007 at 4:15 p.m.
Strike by unionized Metro Transit workers could occur as soon as October 1
Metro Transit bus operators, maintenance workers and other transit workers of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 508 are now in a legal strike position. The union has indicated that they will withdraw services as of Monday, October 1.
If a strike occurs, no transit services will be available. This means the usual Metro Transit fixed routes, MetroLink, community transit, ferry service and Access-A-Bus will cease to operate for the duration of the work stoppage.
“We are taking this situation very seriously and making every effort to resolve this labour dispute. Both parties have asked the conciliator to convene a meeting this evening of the bargaining team and we are hopeful that this will lead to further dialogue,” said Mayor Peter Kelly.
“Clearly, there will be a significant impact on the public if this strike proceeds, and that’s regrettable. But there is a public safety issue on the table, and we simply cannot compromise when it comes to safety,” said Mayor Kelly.
HRM Director of Transportation Mike Labreque offered further explanation around the safety issue, saying, “Currently, our drivers can choose to work up to 22 hours in a row without rest. We feel that puts our drivers, our passengers and the general public at risk. In a 24-hour period, we want to see a minimum rest period of eight consecutive hours to ensure all drivers are well-rested.”
To help reduce the impact on Metro Transit passengers should there be a strike, the following steps have been taken:
Staff of Metro Transit have contacted universities, hospitals and other large employers in the area to advise them of the potential service disruption and the difficulties it may cause the travelling public.
All employers are encouraged to work with their staff to offer greater flexibility or make alternate arrangements for travel for the duration of the strike.
Where appropriate and feasible employers are being asked to give employees greater flexibility in various areas, such as hours of work, alternate work locations or allowing for casual dress in the workplace to enable more people to walk, cycle or rollerblade to work.
Car pooling is another option for many travellers. If there is a strike, Metro Transit’s free Park and Ride lots will be available to individuals who choose to park their cars and arrange their own car pools. Park and Ride lots are available at the following locations:
Dartmouth:
Maybank Field
Woodside Ferry Terminal
Portland Hills Terminal
Halifax:
Centennial Arena
Lower Sackville:
Cobequid Terminal
Sackville Terminal
Transit users can check for information updates on this website, or by calling the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000 (7 am to 11 pm, 7 days a week) and local media outlets.
HRM sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused to our Transit
passengers as the result of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 508’s decision to potentially withdraw its services. They are in a legal strike position as of 2:25 PM Friday, September 28, 2007.
In the event of a strike, MetroLink, MetroPass and UPass holders will be given special consideration and compensation for loss of service once the labour dispute has been resolved.
Update: September 28, 2007 at 1:30 p.m.
A media briefing will be held this afternoon to provide an update on the status of the Metro Transit collective bargaining talks. ATU Local 508 which represents bus operators, fleet maintenance workers and other transit workers will be in a legal strike position at 2:30 p.m.
Posted September 28, 2007
HRM Encourages ATU Local 508 To Come Back to the Bargaining Table
On Wednesday afternoon, negotiations between HRM and ATU Local 508 broke down and the Union filed a strike notice with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour. They will be in a legal position to strike as of 2:25 pm on Friday, September 28, 2007. The Union has given notice to the public that on Monday morning there will be no transit service.
“HRM is striving to ensure that an agreement is reached which improves safety for drivers, passengers and the public. HRM looks forward to a counter proposal from ATU Local 508 in response to the HRM offer”, said Mayor Peter Kelly.
HRM believes that it is important to clarify its position for the public. The main issues that have led to the actions taken by ATU in filing a strike notice are the hours of rest between shifts and wages. Currently, there are occasions where bus operators can choose to work in excess of 20 hours per day. This is permitted within the current collective agreement. HRM can no longer continue with this practice as it presents a safety issue for both drivers and passengers. As a result HRM requires changes be made in the current collective agreement to limit the number of driving hours in a single day to 16 hours. ATU has indicated that they are committed to the same thing, but this does not appear to be the case. ATU wants to retain employee’s right to choose to work more than 16 hours, including in excess of 20 hours. ATU, also, wants to allow employees to continue to choose fewer than 8 hours rest between their regular shifts. HRM seeks to proactively address safety for the drivers and the public.
With respect to wages the package offered includes:
• 26% over 5 years to bring mechanics to $29.10 at the end of the agreement
• 20% over 5 years to bring operators in Access-A-Bus to $21.91 at the end of the agreement
• 19.4% over 5 years to bring conventional operators to $23.91 at the end of the agreement
• 15% over 5 years for the remainder of the employees within the bargaining unit
A protracted negotiation will delay the payment of retroactive wages which range between $1,400 and $2,900, based on the current offer.
Furthermore Mayor Peter Kelly said, “I understand that the ATU Local 508 has a regularly scheduled meeting on Sunday evening and I encourage the executive to bring HRM’s current proposal to their membership. I am hopeful that the membership will see that the wage package is fair, and limiting the number of hours worked in a single day to 16 hours is in the best interest of the drivers, passengers, and the public.”
HRM is committed to continuing negotiations with the ATU to arrive at a settlement that is fair and equitable and has the safety of its employees and passengers as a priority.
Posted September 27, 2007
Following Wednesday's meeting between HRM and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 508 bargaining unit, the union filed a strike notice with Nova Scotia Department of Labour at 2:25 pm. This will place them in a legal position to strike as of 2:25 pm on Friday, September 28, 2007.
The parties met again Wednesday evening with the conciliator. HRM reiterated its offer to the ATU local 508 bargaining team. This offer included a revised wage package within a five year collective agreement, conditional upon HRM achieving collective agreement changes to support safe hours of work and rest and scheduling.
Wednesday evening's meeting between the HRM and ATU Bargaining Teams concluded without any further progress. HRM is disappointed to have been informed by the ATU bargaining team that it would not take this offer back to the membership nor would it bargain changes to the collective agreement to support HRM in its objective of achieving safe hours of work and rest and scheduling.
HRM’s position is as follows:
• Council is committed to the safe operation of our Transit system for our employees and travelling public.
• We believe that more than 16 hours of work in a day is not safe and compromises operator and passenger safety.
• We continue to seek value for our taxpayer's dollar.
• HRM has invested over 70 million dollars this year in our public transit system.
• Employees will continue to have access to safe hours of overtime.
• Existing seniority and benefits will be maintained and HRM offers benefits to enhance part time staff.
• The offer fulfills our commitment to make our operators the highest paid in Atlantic Canada, which we believe is more than fair.
• 26% over 5 years to bring mechanics to $29.10 at the end of the agreement
• 20% over 5 years to bring operators in Access-A-Bus to $21.91 at the end of the agreement
• 19.4% over 5 years to bring conventional operators to $23.91 at the end of the agreement
• 15% over 5 years for the remainder of the employees within the bargaining unit
• Council has responded to the Union's position over growth by authorizing management to hire in excess of 40 new operators and 16 new operators are currently being trained
HRM encourages Union members to consider the offer on its merits and we hope to continue to have discussions to achieve a collective agreement.
During a work stoppage provisions will be made for registered Access-A-Bus passengers requiring dialysis.
Council has instructed its bargaining team to be prepared to return to the table at any time, if requested.
Posted September 26, 2007
HRM and the ATU Local 508 negotiating teams met at the bargaining table again today, Wednesday, Sept. 26th.
Talks broke off and the Union has filed strike notice with the Department of Labour at approximately 2 pm. Transit workers will be in a legal strike position by Friday at 2 p.m. The employer has asked the conciliators to meet again at 5:30 pm this afternoon in an attempt to avoid a strike. An update will be issued again tomorrow to the media and on this website.
Posted August 22, 2007
After two more days of meetings held with a conciliator, on Monday, August 20th and Tuesday, August, 21st, the HRM Management and ATU, Local 508 bargaining teams have exchanged proposals and agreed to further meetings later in September. Transit passengers will be updated of any new developments.
Posted August 20, 2007
Contract negotiations have been underway since last Fall 2006 between HRM/Metro Transit management and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 508, which represents bus operators for Metro Transit, MetroLink, Access-A-Bus, and Community Transit as well as ferry crews, transit fleet maintenance workers and others.
Both parties met in conciliation on July 10th & 11th, 2007. A final offer was presented by HRM management to the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 508 on July 11th, 2007.
ATU, Local 508 took the final offer to their members for a vote on Sunday, August 19th, 2007. Union members endorsed the recommendation of their Union Negotiating Team and Union Executive by voting 98% in favour of rejecting the final offer from the HRM Bargaining Team.
However, both parties will meet again with a conciliator on Monday, August 20th and Tuesday, August 21st and continue to focus on working towards the conclusion of a fair Collective Agreement.
Management will be in a position to know approximately 48 hours in advance should a labour disruption be going to occur. At that time, any information we have will be communicated to our passengers.
Metro Transit management is still hopeful that a fair settlement can be reached.
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