Mechanic shortage could keep Metrobuses off the roads this fall, union says

The transit union that represents Metrobus mechanicsis voicing concerns about the transportation commission's ability to return to a full fall schedule given a shortage of a maintenance staff.

Ken Hart,president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1462 in St. John's, told CBC News that Metrobus will soon be down four mechanics the equivalent of about 20 per cent of their usual staff, he said.

And as Metrobus moves out of its reduced summer schedule and into the fall, he fears a lack of mechanics could keep things from moving smoothly.

"We can manage with a couple of buses down because there's less routes. But once the fall schedule starts, our number of available buses will be very limited," Hart said Tuesday.

"If the services is not done that they cannot put the full complement out, I mean, there will be people stranded on the bus stops. And the taxpayers will not be getting what they paid their taxes for."

Hart said Metrobus has around 50 buses to cover around 22 routes in the metro St. John's area, adding the number of available mechanics has been a concern of the unionfor over three years.

He said recruitment and retention is an issue across Canada, citing the need for better pay and benefits for workers as a potential reason why.

Metrobus ridership has ballooned in recent years, recording more than 4.7 million rides in 2023 a 35 per cent increase over 2022, and a 45 per cent increase from 2019.

"It is very close now to capacity. We have older buses and we have increased ridership, so the maintenance of them are getting very difficult to keep ahead of," Hart said.

Metrobus announced in March that it would be retiring six buses and adding eight new buses to its fleet this year, but Hart said new buses would require more mechanics to make sure they can operate efficiently.

He'd like the City of St. John's to meet with the union to seek out a possible solution.

CBC News has asked Metrobus for an interview to address Hart's concerns. Metrobushas responded to the inquiry, but hasn't yet provided comment.

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