Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Public initiatives: Is the Bus Strike Over Yet?


Glorious. Is the Bus Strike Over Yet?, an Ottawa-based website, does a terrific job of succinctly summing up the frustration the public has with the current OC Transpo strike, now through its 42nd day.

Most people, it seems, are becoming so frustrated with the politicking and posturing from both sides that they wake up every day with only one question: Is the bus strike over yet? The website answers that question, in simplest terms.

ADDENDUM: After speaking with Matt Davidson, founder of Is the Bus Strike Over Yet?, he gave me the following information about his intentions with the website, and what he hopes it may do for his fellow transit users:
"Believe it or not I have been thinking of launching this since the strike started but hadn't gotten around to it yet. I am a web developer in Ottawa and used to rely on public transit to get to work. This website actually represents a growing trend in the web industry of simple websites that have a one word message (see http://isobamapresident.com/). I found the concept humorous and was inspired what most people seem to care about when it comes to this transit strike (will they be able to take the bus tomorrow or not).

"To most of us it doesn't really matter why the ATU is on strike, and many are mis-informed as to why. I figured this was the perfect summarization of the strike up to now.

"Needless to say I have no goals for this website other than to create a chuckle among fellow transit riders. I hope people enjoy the humor behind my message and visit back to see what it changes to when the strike is over."
I think the humour behind Mr. Davidson's undertaking is pretty evident. It's a refreshingly light-hearted expression of frustration with the two sides negotiating in this conflict.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Self employed people, handicapped, every day bus riders, elderly and thousands of other people have CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS also and when 2300 unionists can destroy lives, livelihoods and health it speaks very poorly to the INTEGRITY or lack thereof of this union and its reps. They will get the RESPECT they keep whining about when they do the right thing. Be thankful they have very good paying jobs at a time when many others are losing theirs and get back to work.

Anonymous said...

I'm curious what CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS are being infringed upon.

Anonymous said...

If I had to pick one, I'd say the right to Life, Liberty and SECURITY OF PERSON. Namely that each person has a right to a degree of safety, which in this society includes access to timely health care.

If a person can't take a bus in order to make appointments for something like say cancer screenings, then I'd go so far as to say the transit union is dangerously close to infringing on peoples right to security of person...it's a bit of a stretch, and I don't think the onus lies with the transit union to resolve constitutional issues so the responsibility isn't theirs...but at the very least such a supposition might be adequate justification for outsourcing transit to say a private organization.

Anonymous said...

I think that's a huge stretch, just because you have the right to something doesn't mean that a ride to it is required as well...

I have the right to vote too, but no one comes to my door to make sure I can.

Anonymous said...

Actually any political party is happy to provide a ride to bring you to a polling station. My friend got to ride in a Jaguar because she requested a ride to vote (in Ottawa, that was).

I agree with what you're saying though. I don't think a lack of bus service is unconstitutional... Otherwise there would have to be busses everywhere.

Anonymous said...

Oh and I love this site.

Anonymous said...

What happened to all the money the city saved when the buses weren't running?
Letting riders use passes from December in February, is not enough. City have to more then this because we have paid so much money in taking taxi. I can't believe that they think that their offer is going to make riders happy.