16 August 2013
Transport and Technical Services (TTS) have issued advice for bus passengers during the proposed bus strike by Unite Union members on 22, 23, 27, 28 and 29 August 2013.
- a skeleton service will be running, so check to see if your bus is running on LibertyBus's website. Details of the restricted timetable will be available on Wednesday 21 August
- arrange a car share with friend, colleague or neighbour
- consider walking or cycling
- if you want to take a taxi, book it in advance to avoid disappointment
- consider working from home, if you can
- allow more time for your journey as there may be more traffic on the roads
- Pier Road multi-storey car park normally has spare capacity for another 250 cars and there may well be a little spare capacity in Patriotic Street and Green Street. TTS will do their best to keep the public informed through the media and signs when car parks are full
LibertyBus today (16 August) met TTS Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis, Environment Scrutiny Panel chairman Deputy John Young, and Acting Chief Minister Senator Ian Le Marquand. The States representatives were told that LibertyBus have plans for a skeleton service during the strike and will be operating a Sunday service on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 August. Details will be announced next week through the media and on the LibertyBus website. Jersey Tourism, Jersey Airport and Jersey Ports will also assist visitors with information about the available services.
Restricted service will be available
Deputy Lewis said “LibertyBus are very customer-focussed and do not want to see bus users inconvenienced by this proposed strike action. Although they will not be able to provide a full service, they are working on plans to provide a restricted service that will go a long way to help provide transport particularly for those who have no alternative travel options.
"When we had the snow earlier this year, there was a great community spirit and people helped each other by providing lifts which took the pressure off the skeleton bus service that was operating. I hope that this will happen again during the strike. The Connétables I have spoken to are very willing for anyone who has travel concerns over the strike period to contact their parish halls. I hope that we can build on this level of support and assistance and minimise the disruption.”
Deputy Young said "I fully support the TTS Minister and LibertyBus in their contingency plans to maintain essential public bus services in what will be difficult circumstances for the public. I still very much hope our drivers, who have made a major contribution to improvements in the Island’s bus services, will reconsider their decision to strike next week. The strike seems so unnecessary as we were informed the cause of their grievance will be resolved by the employment tribunal.”
Senator Le Marquand said “There is absolutely no justification for this strike action. This action has been taken over the dismissal of a member of staff who was convicted of driving without due care and attention in circumstances which led to an injury to a passenger.
"Furthermore, the dismissed driver has the right to go to an employment tribunal and if that tribunal finds the dismissal decision to be unfair, then LibertyBus has agreed to reconsider. I am sorry this action is being taken without proper consideration of the inconvenience to the travelling public. However, I need to strongly affirm the principle that the bus service in Jersey exists for the benefit of the people of Jersey and visitors to Jersey and is managed by LibertyBus. It does not exist for the benefit of, nor is it managed by, either the union leadership or the drivers.”
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