The bus strike has been underway for a month and is creating a transportation challenge for North Island College students.
The Executive Director of North Island College Students’ union Carissa Wilson says both union members and students struggle to make it to the campus.
“The Comox Valley has seen a decent amount of snow this time, so it’s adding complications to other forms of getting around the valley,” said Wilson.
“We also have become an employer since the transit strike began, so we are seeing it as well with getting our workers to their shifts in a fast way.”
The strike began in December and shut down bus service for both the Comox Valley and Campbell River, with wages being the main concern for the striking members of Unifor 114.
As a result, Wilson says that they have seen many forms of alternate traffic including foot traffic, scooters, bikes, and through the Ride-Share channel on the Union’s discord server.
Along with getting to class, she adds that the strike is also affecting campus life.
“Participating in social events, or staying in the library to study, it’s harder to engage in those out-of-class activities if you are struggling to get a ride,” said Wilson.
“If your ride is leaving at the end of class you are going to hop into that instead of sticking around on campus and making a more casual connection.”
They are hoping that PWTransit can come to the table and offer what the transit workers are looking for, with Wilson adding that the college has started an emergency financial fund for students in need.
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