The strike by Grand River Transit workers that began on January 21 has created significant challenges across our college community. I’ve heard from many students this week who are concerned about getting to class, commuting to jobs, and covering the extra expenses that result from the current disruption in public transit service.
We understand that this is a difficult time for many of you and are working on some measures to help those who rely on public transit as the strike continues.
- We’re expanding parking options at the Waterloo campus and increasing our inter-campus shuttle service at Waterloo to include the new Downtown Kitchener (DTK) campus.
- We’re working with CSI and others to explore opportunities for increasing shuttle services across Conestoga’s network of campuses in the areas affected by the GRT strike.
- We’re reducing daily parking rates at the Waterloo, Doon and Cambridge campuses to match the rate paid by parking pass holders.
- We’ll help offset the extra costs of commuting by providing full-time students who are GRT pass holders with up to $200 to reimburse your travel-related costs resulting from the strike. Eligible travel-related costs include taxi fares, Uber fares and parking fees.
More details regarding these measures will be announced soon. An online application for travel cost reimbursement will be available by January 31, 2020. More information will be posted on the Conestoga website as it becomes available.
Thank you for your patience in this challenging situation, and special thanks to all of you who have provided support to your classmates and colleagues through carpooling and ride-sharing.
Please continue to make attending classes and school-related activities a priority as the strike continues. If you will be late or absent as the result of transportation challenges, be sure to communicate with your instructors and stay connected with your classmates and coursework.
We look forward to the resolution of this labour dispute and the resumption of normal transit service for our community.
John Tibbits, President