A driver shortage is contributing to service delays and disruptions at Whistler Transit this winter, according to Crown corporation, BC Transit.
In a release Monday, Dec. 19, BC Transit said the resort transit system is “currently experiencing service challenges” as a result of the ongoing labour shortage, which has resulted in “the need to sometimes alter schedules and cancel trips on short notice.” BC Transit added that, while contracted operating company Pacific Western Transportation (PWT) is “working hard to maintain a balanced schedule during this time, weekend service will continue to see more impacts.”
A spokesperson declined an interview, noting no one was available at press time, but BC Transit said in the release that it “apologizes for the inconvenience this may cause and continues to appreciate the patience of customers during this time.”
Riders are encouraged to use the real-time locator service, NextRide, or the Transit App on mobile to stay up to date on their ride, and to check for service alerts regularly at bctransit.com/whistler for the most up-to-date information. Once a trip cancellation has been confirmed, alerts are issued on BC Transit’s website. Riders can also get route-specific alerts emailed to them directly by signing up here.
According to the release, PWT is “actively recruiting transit operators and is working hard to hire more drivers to improve service reliability.”
The disruptions come just months after transit workers in the Sea to Sky ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement this June, ending the longest transit strike in B.C. history on its 137th day. The new deal included a 13.5-per-cent wage increase over the term, plus a two-per-cent signing bonus for 2022.
PWT has for years struggled to recruit transit workers from Whistler, with a significant chunk of the transit operator’s drivers commuting from Squamish.
