Commuters across the capital region are once again facing longer waits, packed buses, and sudden cancellations as labour talks stall.

An overtime ban is back from Unifor Local 333-BC, the union representing local bus drivers and mechanics, after mediation talks with BC Transit stalled on Oct. 2.

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For everyday riders like Charlotte Charlie, waiting at a packed stop, the impact is immediate. “Two went by one right after the other; they were really full, but then I had to wait twice as long for the next bus,” she said, adding, “I was 10 minutes late for work.”

Workers have been without a collective agreement for 17 months. While the union notes that several demands were checked off during negotiations, talks ultimately fell apart over two major hurdles: wage increases and break times.

Gavin Davies, a Unifor national representative, stated that the employer simply wouldn’t budge on these two core issues.

However, Davies emphasized while job action has resumed, a full-blown strike is not on the immediate horizon.

“We’re not right now looking at escalating that job action to a full-blown strike,” Davies explained. “We understand the hardships this has on the general public, and we also appreciate right now that we are going through a provincial election.”

The Victoria Transit Riders Union is voicing strong support for the drivers, arguing that the dispute is about much more than just numbers; it’s about human dignity and safety on the road.

Liz Cronin, chair of the Victoria Transit Riders Union, called the situation shameful after 17 months of attempting to secure a contract. She explained that “realistic run and recovery times” are essential for both drivers and passengers.

Cronin added that members of the riders union plan to continue showing up in solidarity, organizing a rally for transit workers every Saturday at 1 p.m. at 520 Gorge Road East.

With no resolution currently in sight, passengers are left waiting at the curb, hoping this labour dispute finds a route to an agreement soon.

READ MORE: Greater Victoria BC Transit workers begin job action with ‘uniform ban’