CCTA ratifies collective bargaining agreement with bus drivers, offers free service

Related Company:Chittenden County Transportation AuthorityThursday evening, the CCTA Board of Commissioners ratified the CCTA-Union collective bargaining agreement. As a result of ratification, all CCTA public transportation service has resumed with full weekday schedules as of Friday, April 4. The CCTA board also voted to offer free rides on most lines through April 13.
The contract was developed during a 10-hour negotiation session that began in the evening on Wednesday, April 2 and ended early in the morning of April 3. The parties worked together to develop compromise positions that resulted in tentative agreement on all contract articles. Midday on Thursday, the drivers voted to approve the contract and the CCTA Board quickly followed up with ratification at a Special CCTA Board meeting that began at 4 pm.
CCTA stated that it is very pleased a new agreement has been ratified, allowing for the resumption of vital public transportation services for the community. All CCTA routes will operate fare free Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 13, with the exception of the Montpelier LINK Express. The Montpelier LINK Express will operate fare free on Friday, April 4 and will then offer vouchers to passengers through April 13 for future free rides. CCTA will also offer replacement monthly passes for those with monthly passes that were valid between March 17 and April 3.
In a statement issued following the board vote, CCTA said: "While fare-free service and replacement passes will not make up for the stress, expense, and inconvenience experienced by our passengers over the last three weeks, CCTA hopes it will help communicate our concern for how they were affected.
"We also want to thank our drivers for helping to quickly resume the full and friendly service so many Vermonters rely on. With this negotiation behind us, we look forward to working with our drivers to strengthen our organization and expand access to the essential public transportation services we provide together."
For additional information on the resumption of service and replacement monthly passes, go to www.cctaride.org.
CCTA 4.3.2014