HSR bus service interruptions possible with City of Hamilton vaccine mandate deadline looming
The city is warning of bus service interruptions as early as next week if some HSR drivers refuse to be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19.
The city introduced a vaccine mandate" earlier this year that requires all municipal workers to either show proof of two COVID vaccine jabs or agree to regular rapid testing. Employees who refuse both options are banned from city property - including buses - and could be forced to take unpaid leave.
The HSR issued a release Friday warning up to 10 per cent of bus drivers could be out of compliance" with the mandatory vaccination policy as of Nov. 1. That's the deadline for all workers to show proof of two jabs.
As a result, the HSR has begun contingency planning" for a potential driver shortage that would focus on rush hour service at the start and end of each day and cut service on high-frequency" routes where required.
We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause our customers and commit to sharing up-to-date information with them as soon as it becomes available," said HSR head Maureen Cosyn Heath in a release.
A stricter vaccine mandate in Toronto has prompted that city's transit commission to cut service in November in anticipation of a driver shortage. Unlike in Hamilton, TTC workers do not have the option of rapid testing.
Hamilton human resources head Lora Fontana expressed hope many HSR workers will agree to rapid testing.
All we know for sure is that about 10 per cent have not submitted their vaccination status," she said in an interview. But that's not to say they won't agree to take the rapid tests ... If they do that, they'll be able to report to work."
The HSR union, which encourages all bus drivers to get the jab, initially opposed the city's mandatory vaccine policy, calling it disrespectful" and unnecessarily adversarial."
Union president Eric Tuck said Friday he is hopeful drivers who are not vaccinated - or who wish to maintain medical privacy - will participate in rapid testing for the good of our passengers, our families and livelihoods."
Tuck said he has heard from a small number of drivers - a few, not a lot" - who plan to quit over the mandatory vaccine policy. But he argued the HSR faces a larger staffing challenge because of impending driver retirements. Some are just telling me they've had enough after two years of pandemic stress," he said.
Fontana said unvaccinated workers are supposed to pick up rapid test kits on Tuesday, so the city will have a much better sense" of whether there is a critical driver shortage by mid-week.
Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com