Media Contact: Randol White, 415-515-7624
UPDATE: Sunday, Sept. 8
Service was back to normal over the weekend. No SamTrans service disruptions are anticipated Sunday into Monday either. Your continued support is appreciated.
UPDATE: Saturday, Sept. 7
No SamTrans service disruptions are anticipated during the weekend. Thank you to our patient customers and our dedicated workforce. We will continue to provide updates here.
UPDATE: Friday, Sept. 6
SamTrans is working to minimize bus route disruptions after roughly 30% of bus operators called out sick for a second day on Friday.
The agency is again prioritizing morning and afternoon school service, and covering the first and last schedules of every route, in an effort to make sure nobody is left stranded waiting for a bus. On Friday, all morning school routes and first schedules were covered.
SamTrans anticipates some labor-based service disruptions over the weekend.
ORIGINAL POST: Thursday, Sept 5
Roughly 30% of SamTrans bus operators called out sick this morning, prompting the bus agency to rearrange schedules to minimize service disruptions for thousands of riders today.
SamTrans had been preparing for a sick-out that never materialized back on Aug. 26 and 27, nearly two weeks after members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1574 rejected a three-year contract proposal that was supported by union leadership.
SamTrans is leaning on that previous planning to ease any disruptions caused by today’s unexpected sick-out and is advising all customers to seek alternative transportation options Thursday and Friday.
“Our top priority is the transportation needs of the people of San Mateo County,” said SamTrans General Manager/CEO April Chan. “We understand that many of our riders do not have alternative transportation options, which is why we take today’s sick-out very seriously. We appreciate the community’s patience and support as we work to minimize the impacts of this unexpected operator shortage.”
SamTrans successfully prioritized school service this morning without disruption. Routes 292 and 122 are not affected by the workforce shortage because contractors operate these routes. In addition, Redi-Wheels and RediCoast paratransit services will not experience disruptions related to today’s actions.
SamTrans remains committed to finding a contract resolution and is prepared to work collaboratively with ATU members. Procedurally, it is the responsibility of union leadership to put forth a revised contract proposal following the membership’s contract rejection vote on Aug. 14.
ATU Local 1574 represents nearly 400 members in the following units:
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Bus operators
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Mechanics
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Utility workers
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Storekeepers
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Customer service representatives and receptionists
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About SamTrans:
The San Mateo County Transit District operates 74 routes and two on-demand service areas. Funded in part by a half-cent sales tax, the district also provides administrative support for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. SamTrans has provided bus service to San Mateo County customers since 1976.
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