OC Transpo mechanics returned to work at midnight Sunday as they prepare for a 24/7 rush to get buses ready for service on Feb. 9.
The most common problems are moisture in tanks and batteries that need replacing in the fleet of 650 buses at the St. Laurent Boulevard garage. There's also a backlog of routine inspections, safety checks, and transmission work.
"When the strike started, everything just stopped," said Duane Clifton, a mechanic.
With dozens of buses idling outside on Sunday morning, another mechanic picked up where he left off 54 days ago: replacing a radiator.
"I'm going to finish that, and then another mechanic comes in the evening and there's some other work on this bus, and then another mechanic comes in on the night shift," he told CTV Ottawa.
About 95 per cent of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 members voted Saturday in favour of binding arbitration with the City of Ottawa, officially ending a 51-day strike that began Dec. 10.
More downtown, suburban routes to return to full service sooner
According to OC Transpo, a number of main routes have been added to the list that will resume full weekday service on Feb. 9: the 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, and 87.
Two new routes are also included. The 9 will shuttle between downtown and Hurdman station, via Sussex Drive and Vanier Parkway. The 12 will carry passengers between downtown and Blair station, via Rideau Street and Montreal Road.
As well, several suburban routes will now have full weekday service instead of off-peak hours only: 129, 130, 135, 136, 137, 152, 153, 160, 161, 164, 165, 168, 170, 171, 173, and 176.
Click for full details on OC Transpo's preliminary schedule
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Jonathan Rotondo
