MTS bus routes out of the South Bay and East County divisions as well as minibus and paratransit services have been running on limited service for weeks, MTS Board Chair Stephen Whitburn said in a statement Thursday. Negotiations have stalled between MTS contractor Transdev and the Teamsters.
So, Whitburn has instructed MTS staff to place an item on the board's June 15 agenda an item to provide that additional $1 million in funding for the current contract, contingent on service being restored no later than June 23.
"While MTS is not part of the negotiations, we know this impasse is causing a great inconvenience to our riders that rely on these services to get to jobs, school, health appointments and so much more,'' he said. "Our number-one goal at MTS is to get service up and running again, and back to the standards expected by our riders.''
That $1 million is in addition to the $21 million in new funding that the MTS Board authorized on Jan. 26, 2023 for a $2/hour wage increase paid to all bus operators employed by Transdev at the East County and South Bay divisions through the contract expiration date of June 30, 2031.
"We recognize the growing challenge to hire and retain bus operators,'' Whitburn said. "It's a high cost of living in San Diego and a job market that has seen unprecedented wage increases. This has made attracting new and retaining current bus operators extremely difficult. But we need to find a resolution from both sides of the negotiating table. Our riders depend on it.''
Transdev, a multinational conglomerate that operates the services, has been in contract negotiations with its bus operators, represented by the Teamsters, since October 2022. The work stoppage has been ongoing for several weeks, with more than 600 drivers currently impacted.
Jose Puga, vice president of local Teamsters 683, said the company was negotiating in bad faith.
"Workers are on strike because they want sanitary bathrooms and safe places to take breaks, and Transdev has refused to bargain in good faith to address these conditions,'' he said. "Workers have been subject to these grotesque conditions for longer than the six months we had been in negotiations. We are on strike because Transdev has refused to offer workers a fair new contract and has failed to address these appalling conditions.''
Transdev released a statement rebutting the claims of union leaders.
"Transdev is actively negotiating with the Teamsters 683 and remains hopeful that we will come to an amicable resolution soon with minimal disruption to the riding public,'' the statement reads. "We have been engaged in negotiations with the union in good faith, with the goal of reaching a mutually satisfactory agreement that addresses the interests of both parties.
Bus routes out of the South Bay division impacted include: 1, 3, 5, 27, 28, 35, 225, 701, 704, 705, 709, 712, 901, 904, 905, 906, 907, 909, 916, 917, 923, 929, 932, 933, 934, 950/950A, 955, 961, 962, 963, 967, 968, 992.
Bus routes out of the East County division impacted include: 88, 115, 280, 290, 815, 816, 832, 834, 848, 851, 852, 854, 855, 856, 864, 872, 874, 875, 888, 891, 892, 894, 921, 928, 936;
Minibus routes impacted include: Weekdays: 14, 18, 25, 83, 84, 833, 838, 944, 945, 946, 964, 965, 985; Saturdays: 832, 833, 838, 945, 965; Sundays: 832, 833, 838. MTS Access is by appointment only.
The Imperial Avenue Division, Kearny Mesa Division and Trolley System are all running normal service, MTS said.
Passengers can check the MTS Alerts & Detours webpage (sdmts.com/getting-around/alerts-detours) for updates and most accurate service information. Passengers can also contact MTS Information & Trip Planning for trip planning assistance at 619-233-3004, or use the online trip planner at sdmts.com/trip-planner. MTS Access riders can call 888-517-9627 or visit sdmts.com/work-stoppage for recommended alternative transportation options
