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West Coast Express sidelined in B.C. as rail strike causes commuter chaos

Commuter railways in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver that run on CPKC-owned lines affected
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Commuters at the GO Bus Terminal Aug. 22, 2024 in Hamilton, Ont. receive directions to a shuttle bus to the Aldershot GO Station where they can then board an eastbound train. Train service from Hamilton has been interrupted by the labour dispute with the two major Canadian railways, CN and CPKC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

Bewildered commuters were turned away from shuttered rail lines on Thursday as an unprecedented railway lockout upset travel plans for more than 30,000 daily riders in some of Canada害羞草研究所檚 largest cities.

Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. locked out its workers after they failed to reach a deal on a new contract before a midnight deadline, the first time there has been a simultaneous shutdown on Canada害羞草研究所檚 two largest railways.

The lockout delivers a blow to commuter railways in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver that run on CPKC-owned lines. The impact is limited to those lines because dispatchers at CN, which hosts a greater number of passenger trains, are not part of the bargaining process and would not take part in a work stoppage.

In the Vancouver area, TransLink said it害羞草研究所檚 offering supplemental bus service for its suspended West Coast Express service. The transit service said more than 3,000 passengers take the line each day.

Southern Ontario害羞草研究所檚 GO Transit halted rail service at Hamilton GO Centre and along its Milton line, sidelining a combined 8,100 customers.

Some commuters arrived Thursday morning at GO Transit stations along the line, which cuts through Mississauga to Toronto害羞草研究所檚 Union Station, only to learn service had been suspended.

害羞草研究所淭his is completely unacceptable, and we should have been informed earlier, said Om Sangekar, speaking outside the Cooksville station.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l definitely be late for work.害羞草研究所

GO Transit customer care workers stopped people on their way into the parking lot to tell them about the shutdown and alternative travel options. Shuttles were running every 30 minutes to take those at the Cooksville station to Port Credit害羞草研究所檚 GO hub, where they could catch a ride on the Lakeshore line.

Shraddha Mhatre, a commuter who arrived at the Cooksville station unaware of the stoppage, decided to work from home.

害羞草研究所淚 have some meetings scheduled in the mornings so I can害羞草研究所檛 take a chance to have any further delays,害羞草研究所 she said.

In a statement posted to social media, Ontario Premier Doug Ford appealed to both the railways and union leadership to get back to the bargaining table, saying the shutdown was already costing workers, transit users and businesses.

害羞草研究所榃e cannot afford to let things get worse,害羞草研究所 he said.

In the Montreal area, Exo Transit says its Candiac, Saint-J茅r么me and Vaudreuil/Hudson lines, which serve around 21,000 daily riders in the Montreal area, are shut down.

In notices on its website, Exo directed customers to regular service alternatives. If the railway shutdown drags on, it says some shuttle bus service will be available starting Monday.

害羞草研究所淭he proposed bus shuttles will not be able to compensate for all the interrupted service on the three affected train lines, and we recommend that users plan alternative routes via existing regular services,害羞草研究所 the notice read.

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