Bus Driver Strike! These Hudson Valley Routes May Be Suspended
Hudson Valley bus drivers may go on strike as early as Monday. Some routes may be spared, but you'll want to plan ahead for a list of others that will likely be suspended.
Dutchess County Legislator, Francena Amparo, posted the news on on Facebook yesterday that Dutchess Mass Transit workers had voted to strike. Teamsters Local 445 voted 54 to 4 to approve the strike which includes workers, bus drivers, call center staff, mechanics and utility workers. The strike could happen as early as next week.
A bus strike could potentially strand thousands of Dutchess County residents, giving them no way to get to work, school, the doctors or even go grocery shopping. The Dutchess County Division of Public Transit announced on their website that some routes may be canceled due to "an immediate bus operator shortage."
The routes that may be impacted include Flex, Route G, Beacon Rail Link, Poughkeepsie Rail Link and/or New Hamburg Rail Link. Riders are encouraged to check for online updates each day after midnight to see if a particular route or trip has been canceled.
Transit Management of Dutchess County says they are working hard to hire additional bus operators to "meet the advertised level of service provided to our customers."