Islanders who ride public buses in the off season poured out their concerns and frustrations to the Vineyard Transit Authority this week over service cuts.
As curtailed off-season service begins on the Island’s only public bus system, the Vineyard Transit Authority is seeing pushback from riders, as well as drivers and their new union.
Citing a potential budget deficit of nearly $1 million for the next fiscal year, the Vineyard Transit Authority administration and advisory board voted unanimously this week to drastically reduce service for the winter season.
The union that represents the VTA drivers announced late Thursday that a tentative agreement had been reached with their employer, Transit Connection Inc.
The current status and powers of of the Vineyard Transit Authority’s advisory board has come into question as the full-time drivers’ strike enters a third week.
Bus drivers for the Vineyard Transit Authority entered their second week on strike Friday, with no clear end in sight. The public transit system is set to jump into its peak months.