WAMU | OCT 24, 10:01 AM

Contract Bus Workers Go On Strike, Affecting WMATA Routes In Virginia
Jordan Pascale

Bus operators and other workers out of the Cinder Bed Road garage in Lorton, Virginia, are on strike Thursday over what they are calling “unfair labor practices,” while contract negotiations with WMATA contractor Transdev continue.

Meanwhile, insufficient communication from Metro has left riders fuming after buses didn’t show up on certain routes Thursday morning.

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Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 said about 18 routes were affected, but it appears Transdev Metro was able to fill some of those routes.

The Cinder Bed Bus Garage serves operates about 5 percent of MetroBus routes. Cinder Bed routes include the REX, 29K, 29G, 29H, 29C, 29N, 29W, 17B, 17G, 17H, 17M, 17K, S80, S91, 18P, 18G, 18J, and 18H.

Metro said in a statement: “Labor negotiations continue between Transdev—a private company—and its employees and union representatives. Under the terms of its contract with Metro, Transdev is obligated to provide Metrobus service from the Cinder Bed Bus Facility. However, today they are operating on a Sunday schedule on the 29N, 29K, and Rex Line. They are not operating: 29W Express, 17s, 18s, or Tag service. Customers are encouraged to take Metrorail and alternative routes whenever possible.”

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This story originally appeared on WAMU.