By Julie Hawrishok
Passengers rejoiced last week when they heard there was no immediate bus strike in Ottawa. However, the majority of OC Transpo workers who were in favour of striking left many people with unanswered questions. How would I get to work? How would my kids get to school? What about parking downtown?
Public transportation is essential in Ottawa, even though it is not considered an essential service, like police, firefighters and hospital staff. While OC Transpo’s services are used by thousands of people, it is not considered a matter of life and death should their services be suspended or interrupted. But a city will suffer if public transportation is not readily available to its residents. It is a necessity.
A strike could cause some to lose income and isolate others. Ottawa residents depend on public transit every day. Statistics Canada data shows that in 2000, more than 80,000 Ottawa-Gatineau residents relied on public transportation to get to work. More recent figures estimate that number at closer to 100,000, with a total of 328,000 total rides per day. More than 7,500 Carleton University students take OC Transpo buses and the O-Train daily to attend classes, with a similar number of University of Ottawa students doing the same.
Drivers and staff have gone on strike three times since OC Transpo’s inception in 1973, most recently in 1996. The last strike lasted 23 days, leaving many scrounging to find alternate modes of getting around.
This time around, the Amalgamated Transit Union offered people some hollow advice in the case of a strike.
“Given the cold temperatures, it is advised that parents attempt to make other traveling arrangements for their children.” They added: “Seniors and others vulnerable to the winter cold should also make alternative traveling plans.” Thank you ATU, that advice is sure to ease the minds of those left in the cold, wondering what to do. But really, why not offer some sound or logical advice or alternatives?
Taxi companies must be loving these suggestions from the ATU. With no public transit and not all Ottawa residents owning vehicles, cabs are the next logical decision for alternative travel plans.
However, the taxi industry in Ottawa is not equipped to handle that much business.
At any given time on Ottawa roads, Blue Line Taxi has 700 cars available, Capital Taxi has 500, and DJ’s with only about 60. During peak times and rush hour, this is not nearly enough to accommodate the influx of fares.
Public transportation is integral for local business. When Vancouver faced a four-month-long transit strike in the summer of 2001, the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association found that 85 per cent of businesses surveyed had reported a drop in business and 23 per cent had even been forced to lay off staff.
Can Ottawa afford to face the same fate?
True essential services cannot go on strike. They are recognized as vital players in a community’s well being and prosperity.
Though OC Transpo will not save lives or stop fires like others with essential community roles, they will help transport those who do.