Guelph Transit lockout: Cabs, car rental agencies see business spike

CTV Kitchener: Alternatives to buses Cabs, carshares and bicycles are just three of the ways Guelph residents are getting around the transit lockout. Frank Lynn has the story.

Alex Humphrey is leaving himself extra time in the mornings.

With his usual bus commute disrupted by the city’s lockout of 200-plus transit workers, the Guelph resident has a longer and more physically stressful trip to work.

“It’s about a 30-minute bike ride to work now, instead of the 15-minute transit ride that I had,” he says.

“It’s definitely an inconvenience.”

Across all different modes of transportation, it’s a similar store.

Car rental agencies say they’re seeing an uptick in business, and taxi drivers have been working 15-hour shifts – enough to keep overnight cabs on the road for the morning rush.

“Everybody got taken by surprise,” says Jesse Mendoza, a driver with Canadian Cabs.

Mendoza says his company saw an 80 per cent increase in business on Monday, as people across the city were caught off-guard by the lockout – some of them having to wait longer than usual just to get a cab.

“No matter how many trips you have, there’s only so many you can do per hour and still be safe,” he says.

Some residents are looking for cheaper ways to get around the stalled buses.

Cory Houghton is one of the administrators of the Overheard at Guelph Facebook group.

He estimates that he’s seen “a few hundred” posts on the group organizing rideshares and carpools, especially with students and recent graduates who may not be able to afford regular cab fares.

He also questions what would happen if the lockout lasts through the summer.

“If this were to happen in September, the student uproar would be massive. No one would be able to get to class,” he says.

On Twitter, residents organized via the #GuelphCarpool tag to connect those looking for rides with those offering them.

Tuesday afternoon, Amalgamated Transit Union president Andrew Cleary told CTV News no talks with the city had been scheduled.

ATU members voted against the city’s latest offer Sunday night.