York Region has terminated its contract with First Canada, one of the three transit companies whose employees have been on strike since Oct. 24.
On Monday, the region notified First Canada that it has cancelled its contract and that a deal with a new service provider will be presented on Jan. 26 to council.
First Canada operates 29 YRT/Viva routes in northern York Region.
"It is outrageous that nearly a month has passed since First Canada and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 last met to negotiate their agreement," said Bill Fisch, York Region chairperson and CEO, in a press release.
"This strike continues in the midst of winter at the expense of riders. With neither side showing any regard or urgency, and no resolution in sight, we are doing everything we can to help restore transit service for our riders while protecting the taxpayer."
Fisch said that the region cannot restore full service "overnight" but will continue "to do all within our power to deliver additional service for the riders who have suffered far too long during this strike."
The region is now working to complete a new contract to operate the 29 YRT/Viva routes. Route 98 on Yonge Street will begin service Feb. 5 between Newmarket and Richmond Hill.
The region also issued letters to York BRT Services and Miller Transit requesting a service recovery plan by Friday.
Cancellation of the First Canada contract comes after last week's decision by the region to add 60-foot Viva buses along Route 99, which serves Yonge Street between Bernard Terminal and the Finch GO Bus terminal.
"Within the last five days, York Region has taken two significant steps to begin adding capacity and restoring service for our transit riders, and we will continue to seek more region-wide solutions," Fisch said.
York Region does not have the right to order the parties to arbitration and it has not requested back-to-work legislation from the provincial government.
