Bus Service Remains Slow on 2nd Day of Drivers’ Strike

Public buses in the Antelope Valley continued to run behind schedule and with less frequency Tuesday as a strike by local drivers entered its second day.

Antelope Valley Transit Authority buses that follow five routes through Lancaster, Palmdale, Littlerock, Quartz Hill and Lake Los Angeles operated on an abbreviated 10-hour schedule--four hours less than usual, said Bill Budlong, executive director of the agency.

Because there were fewer buses on the road, some passengers had to wait up to two hours for the next bus to come along.

However, the agency was able to maintain nearly all of its service along supplemental routes that some students use to get to and from area high schools, the transit administrator said.

For elderly residents and those with disabilities, the agency operated only four of its 12 Dial-A-Ride buses on Tuesday, although Budlong said one or two more should be back in service today.

All 11 commuter buses that carry workers from the Antelope Valley to downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley operated Tuesday, although two ran about 30 minutes behind schedule.

The work stoppage involved about 90 drivers and mechanics affiliated with Local 572 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Union members alleged that their employer, DAVE Transportation, has engaged in unfair labor practices during contract talks that began in July.

The Antelope Valley Transit Authority contracts with DAVE Transportation to operate the system’s buses.

“AVTA is probably as frustrated with the situation as the passengers are,” Budlong said. “We’re trying very hard to come up with more drivers and more buses to restore service as quickly as we can.”

John Helm, regional manager for DAVE Transportation, said his firm is using supervisors, office personnel and employees from other company locations to drive the Antelope Valley buses. He said the company is seeking to hire permanent replacements for the striking drivers.

Before the strike, the company and the Teamsters had agreed to resume negotiations Nov. 4. Helm said no new talks before that date had been scheduled as of Tuesday.

Teamsters representatives could not be reached for comment.