Acadian Lines workers picket city halls

Acadian Coach Lines workers were picketing outside city halls in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton Tuesday.

This is the second week that bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance workers and customer service representatives have been locked out by the company, forcing travellers and businesses to make alternate arrangements.

Phil Leadbeater, a customer service representative who works at the Saint John terminal, said the workers are worried about their financial future.

"It's definitely tough, I mean, you know, I'm a student," he said.

"Luckily I've got a girlfriend that's got another job. She's working, but I mean other employees here at the company, they've got kids, they've got wives, they've got families, they've got houses, they've got bills galore. It's not easy."

Acadian Lines locked out the workers on Dec. 2after it failed to reach a contract agreement with the union.

There is no word on when talks between the two sides will resume.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1229 officials say they want at least cost-of-living increases.

Companyofficials say operations in New Brunswick are losing money and the alternatives are cutting jobs and increasing ticket prices.

The shutdown has interrupted service in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, as well as part of the service in Nova Scotia and connections between Nova Scotia and Quebec.

It has also affected parcel service.

St. Thomas offers charter bus

With no end in sight to the ongoing labour dispute at Acadian Lines, the students' union at St. Thomas University in Fredericton has organized its own bus transportation to help students get home for the holidays.

"Weve decided to take matters into our own hands," said Mark Livingstone,the students' union president,in a news release.

Students were asked to fill out an online survey on Dec. 12, indicating their interest, along with preferred destination and departure date, he said.

"Responses indicated that the service is much-needed for St. Thomas students," he said.

On Dec. 18, a chartered bus will operate between Fredericton, Moncton and Amherst, N.S., with rates starting at $30, said Livingstone.

The bus will arrive in Amherst in time for students to transfer to the Acadian Lines service toward Truro and Halifax, with connections to Sydney and Digby, he said.

The service may be extended to include a run to Miramichi and Saint John, depending on the level of interest and continued disruption, Livingstone said.

Meanwhile, a team of entrepreneurs is launchinga new rideshare program in the Maritimesthis week to help university students get home for the holidays.

The project connects students through online posts.