A labor dispute between drivers and their employer could lead to an imminent disruption in bus service in the northern part of the San Diego region, according to the North County Transit District.
Even though negotiations are proceeding between the drivers and First Transit, a contractor that supplies drivers to the NCTD, officials at the transit agency said today they were advised that a strike could occur at any time.
NCTD officials said any disruption would affect the Breeze bus, as well as the Lift paratransit service and Flex on-demand program. The Coaster train and Sprinter light rail would be unaffected, according to the NCTD.
Under the contract with the transportation agency, First Transit would be required to provide fill-in drivers, but it could take a week or two to bring in all of the needed replacements.
Cincinnati-based First Transit operates in 242 locations in 39 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and four Canadian provinces.
The Metropolitan Transit System, which operates buses in San Diego, did not immediately respond to an inquiry whether its services would be impacted by a potential job action.
