‘Stranded’ bus riders angry that scant warning was given about Brampton strike

Many Brampton commuters are angry, saying they were caught off guard by the municipal strike that affected transit operations today (Nov. 7).

Several have taken to social media to vent their frustrations saying they were left stranded at bus stops waiting for a ride that never came.

“Just great. No bus. Late for work. How come we didn’t know about this in advance?” said one regular Brampton Transit user.

Another online user complained that users had no advance notice that there could be a labour dispute.

“A notice on a bus stop would have helped from city of brampton , the thousands of people waiting to take transit today who wont get anywhere. The few I could get to who had been waiting for so long who had no idea because they don’t use Twitter. You owe us and these workers.”

A bulletin on the Brampton Transit website says the strike by 1,200 city workers is causing “significant disruptions” to service and encourages riders to make alternate plans.

Talks between the city and workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees 831 broke down overnight, leading to today’s job action.

As well as transit, the strike will also affect animal services, the building division, the city clerk’s office, court services, and bylaw enforcement.

In the days leading up to the strike the issue had been covered in the media but online the information from the city has been scant, according to some.

A quick check of the Brampton Transit page on Facebook contains no information about an impending strike, nor does it have any information on the current situation. On X (formerly Twitter) notices by Brampton Transit were posted at 2:58 a.m. and 4:41 a.m. this morning.

One person who was contacted through social media by INbrampton.com said the city “dropped the ball on this one” and should have been more proactive in letter the public know about an upcoming labour dispute.

“So many people in Brampton rely on buses to get to work in the morning,” said the woman who identified herself as Maisa. “This is not good. So many people were left scrambling to get to work.”

The City of Brampton has been contacted for comment on this issue.