Transit strike could impact on Loyalist students

By: Matthew Blair

Loyalist students arrive at school Wednesday afternoon on Belleville transit. Photo by Matt Blair

Classrooms may look empty after Loyalist College returns from its fall study week Oct. 21.

With a Belleville transit strike looming, some students may be stuck trying to find an alternate arrangement to get to school.

“I am depending on the buses to get to Loyalist,” said Patric Cormier. “If they go on strike, I won’t be able to get my schooling done.”

Executive Director of College Advancement & External Relations Dianne Spencer said the college is looking at all options for the students.

“The college is monitoring that situation very closely and will be looking to see what plans could be put in place if that circumstance does arise.”

For some students, if another ride can’t be arranged, they will resort to other measures.

“I’m going to walk if I really have to,” said Loyalist student Devon Rolland. “It’s really far, probably more than an hour, but if I have to then I have to.”

Thomas Meldrum said he doesn’t know how much class he would miss trying to find a ride to school.

“Right now, it doesn’t look promising. Reading week will give me time to look for something but right now it’s looking pretty bleak.”

The city of Belleville said they have made their final offer to the transit union, but a deal has not been reached.

The potential strike not only effects students who attend Loyalist from in the city, but also students on residence. Every Tuesday, students living on campus are offered a free bus to go grocery shopping, or for some a way, to get off campus.

“It’s too far to walk and too expensive to use a taxi on a regular basis,“ said Mary-Ellen Morris, who lives in residence. “Unfortunately, there isn’t an alternative except taking a taxi, but with my income, it’s either food or transportation. The catch is I need transportation to get food, so it’s a lose-lose situation.”

While the possible strike will have a big effect on students, it is also a city-wide problem.

About 3,000 people a day in Belleville take the bus, according to Belleville’s human resource director John Martin. Details of the issues are still unclear.

“We don’t like to negotiate in the media,” Martin said. A transit union representative was also unavailable for comment.