tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post1359375077863996792..comments2024-03-09T05:03:54.979-05:00Comments on Public Transit in Ottawa: Winners and losers? Let's just move onPeter Raaymakershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10883553886241429786noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-27103291509317392442009-02-07T23:06:00.000-05:002009-02-07T23:06:00.000-05:00We're going to have the higher costs eventually, n...We're going to have the higher costs eventually, no matter what we do. Privatization, essential service status declaration, you name it and inflation will have its way.<BR/><BR/>Let's just get back to using the service and getting the best service we can out of it.Dwight Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14389833479219422837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-69275414970200965042009-02-07T21:54:00.000-05:002009-02-07T21:54:00.000-05:00Neil J Thomson:Privatization might be a good idea ...Neil J Thomson:<BR/><BR/>Privatization might be a good idea for other reasons, but it won't guarantee no strikes -- private companies can have unions too.<BR/><BR/>If you want to make sure there are no strikes, then you probably want transit to be declared an essential service, like the police. That means that an independent arbitrator will decide on pay, benefits, scheduling disputes, etc. for the transit employees, and the city is forced to pay whatever the arbitrator decides, with no room for negotiation. So we pay more tax for the guarantee of no strikes (think of it as insurance).<BR/><BR/>There's no way to guarantee that the city has all the power and the drivers have none.davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15194758376900990105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-56827965577053257132009-02-07T21:28:00.000-05:002009-02-07T21:28:00.000-05:00There is a much more important issue at stake here...There is a much more important issue at stake here. I have friends that depend financially on transit either to get to their job/school/university or to have clients come to them.<BR/><BR/>The city and union have failed them with huge personal income impact. <BR/><BR/>This is unacceptable.<BR/><BR/>Either the contract between the public and OC-Transpo guarantees service or it's time for class action lawsuits or privatization of Ottawa transit. <BR/><BR/>For many, an incremental cost of privatized transit (should an increase vs. decrease of cost be a reality) far outweighs the cost of no income for (this strike) which may be as much as 120 days...<BR/><BR/>Time for the union to face this reality or be abolished.Neil J Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14364677484766408969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-30898695619039337832009-02-07T10:31:00.000-05:002009-02-07T10:31:00.000-05:00Well, if this recent release on http://www.octrans...Well, if this recent release on http://www.octranspo.com/Main_MenuE.asp doesn't get people on the bus, I don't know what will:<BR/><BR/><I>February, March and April Fare Discounts<BR/>All O-Train and bus service will be free until February 15.<BR/><BR/>O-Train and bus service will be free on weekends until the end of February.<BR/><BR/>Regular fare December bus passes - including monthly, fall semester, and 2008 annual passes - will be valid at until the end of March. <BR/><BR/>Express December bus passes will be valid until the end of April.</I><BR/><BR/>I bought an express in December, so I'll be taking advantage of this, for sure. Bit of a win for me and other express pass holders, I think.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07976882397180705933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-67190688847314677372009-02-05T06:09:00.000-05:002009-02-05T06:09:00.000-05:00As david has said, we can avoid a third loss by vo...As david has said, we can avoid a third loss by voting against Larry. But we also need to vote against Andre!<BR/><BR/>But there is a bigger loss yet.<BR/><BR/>The drivers' lengthy strike caused misery and hardship for many, incovenience for all, and financial penalty for themselves. Afterwards, some of them have stated that it was the right thing to do and deplored the layoffs that are the logical and foreseeable consequence of their actions. This is not rational behaviour.<BR/><BR/>The modern, green transit system that works for all citizens - something many visitors to this blog desire, probably - will have, among its many requirements, these:<BR/><BR/>1) A scheduling mechanism that is part of, and responds to, the main line operation of the business;<BR/><BR/>2) Multi-million dollar investments in infrastructure and equipment.<BR/><BR/>The drivers have clearly demonstrated that will go to any lengths to prevent the first and cannot be entrusted with the safekeeping of the second.<BR/><BR/>Modern, green transit system? We cannot get there from here!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-30338289183462439612009-02-04T13:16:00.000-05:002009-02-04T13:16:00.000-05:00What a classic, don't rock the boat, just put up w...<B>What a classic, don't rock the boat, just put up with it, Ottawa attitude. </B><BR/><BR/>Welcome to the Land of the Civil Servant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-27253474583450568902009-02-03T15:06:00.000-05:002009-02-03T15:06:00.000-05:00I think regular Ottawans can "just take the bus" a...I think regular Ottawans can "just take the bus" at the same time as they demand "a new, customer-centred approach to transit in this city, a new approach to labour-management relations at OC Transpo and, most importantly, a new governance structure that puts an end to the micro-managing of transit by city council."<BR/><BR/>I think we should "just take the bus" because public transit provides a valuable service to the people who need it.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02426443776346923048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-1808151349468527262009-02-03T13:28:00.000-05:002009-02-03T13:28:00.000-05:00"In the meantime let's just take the bus." What a ..."In the meantime let's just take the bus." <BR/><BR/>What a classic, don't rock the boat, just put up with it, Ottawa attitude. How about "In the meantime let's demand a new, customer-centred approach to transit in this city, a new approach to labour-management relations at OC Transpo and, most importantly, a new governance structure that puts an end to the micro-managing of transit by city council."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-57562258929937713202009-02-03T13:05:00.000-05:002009-02-03T13:05:00.000-05:00It IS awfully early to figure out who's emerged st...It IS awfully early to figure out who's emerged stronger and who's been weakened by the strike, except in that transit-dependent Ottawans are obvious victims. But it does matter to the extent that the results of this strike will affect the chances of future disruptions.<BR/><BR/>I think it's significant that the union got battered but remained largely united.David Reevelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01845791692292649628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-71741936027748675722009-02-03T12:35:00.000-05:002009-02-03T12:35:00.000-05:00OK, let's phrase the question a little differently...OK, let's phrase the question a little differently: what lessons will everyone draw for the next time the contract comes up? <BR/><BR/>Love them or hate them, the union was able to stand together for nearly two months without pay (strike pay barely covers gas and coffee), while the city flailed around and eventually abandoned its scheduling demand -- supposedly the reason we suffered through the strike in the first place -- to binding arbitration. <BR/><BR/>Next time the contract comes up, the city's going to be much less confident that they can starve out the union, while the union's going to be more aggressive with their demands. That's going to be expensive.<BR/><BR/>So I guess we citizens lose twice: once from the strike, and a second time from higher transit costs in the future. At least we can avoid losing a third time by not re-electing the mayor and council who put us all through this.davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15194758376900990105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-19068428463390859522009-02-03T11:19:00.000-05:002009-02-03T11:19:00.000-05:00I think what Nick means is that the average taxpay...<I>I think what Nick means is that the average taxpayer doesn't care at all who won or lost in the grand scheme of things.</I><BR/><BR/>I think you're right, this is what Nick means.<BR/><BR/>I think Nick is wrong though.<BR/><BR/>And I think so as an average taxpayer, even one who lost time, money, and energy making up my commute. I'd say I lost faith in the city, but I mean c'mon...<BR/><BR/>If the Citizen want to fill half a page with a silly story, that's fine by me. I don't really care what the 'experts' thin, especially given the fact that's it pretty lightweight piece of gross speculation.<BR/><BR/>I do care who won or lost though. Big time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-58944659076961387592009-02-03T11:08:00.000-05:002009-02-03T11:08:00.000-05:00I think what Nick means is that the average taxpay...I think what Nick means is that the average taxpayer doesn't care at all who won or lost in the grand scheme of things. We are the biggest losers since we lost the convenience of riding the bus for 51 cold, snowy days, we lost money, time, and energy trying to find alternate ways to work, and, ultimately, we lost faith in the City and OC Transpo (and possibly humanity, in some cases). <BR/>So do I care who (of Larry O'Brien and Andre Cornellier) experts think lost more? No. They may have lost face but escaped with their wallets and egos intact.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-59102600558507491322009-02-03T10:30:00.000-05:002009-02-03T10:30:00.000-05:00But my question is: Who cares?Taxpayers. Especiall...<I>But my question is: Who cares?</I><BR/><BR/>Taxpayers. Especially those living in the core, as mentioned in the story beside that one, that donate $1000 a head to people living in bigger, detached, houses than them in the suburbs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com