Bus Strike Approved

• Looking for 2005 Transit Strike info? Try the Strike Survival Guide - Queens Edition.

Yesterday drivers for two private bus lines, the Green Bus Lines and the Command Bus Company, approved a strike, and union officials say a walkout could happen at any time. As of this morning the buses were still rolling on Queens Boulevard, but not in southern Brooklyn.

A full bus strike would affect 70,000 commuters in Queens and Brooklyn. In case it hits, NYC has arranged for dollar vans to pick up commuters along the bus routes, but -- no doubt -- dollar vans won't be able to handle the volume. We're dependent on buses in Queens for travelling any direction except toward Manhattan, and the strike possibility has many worried about getting to work and getting Christmas shopping done.

See the NY Times and Newsday for the details on the on-going conflict between the MTA and the private bus lines.