OC Transpo faces deficit after strike

[dracodraconis]

OC Transpo faces deficit after strike

As a result of the Ottawa transit strike and efforts to win back customers is a $13.4 million deficit.

Comments

[ancalagon-tb.livejournal.com]

Isn't it great that the city stood up to the union to save money?

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

$3 million per week, apparently.

[ancalagon-tb.livejournal.com]

the scheduling thing was about 3 millions a year. The strike saved the city 3 millions a week. I'm wondering how 3X7=21 savings became a 12 million deficit...

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure, but the figure includes the cost of offering free service this week and the cost to get the buses back to running status (probably involving a lot of overtime). The $3 million that was "saved is the 40% of OC Transpo's budget that comes from the city. Still, the numbers don't match.

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

Here's an article that seems to better explain it:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/story.html?id=1277915

The savings were overestimated (it was only $12 million over the strike period) and OC Transpo had a deficit from 2008. Add to that the efforts to attract riders and the result is the $13.4 million deficit.