Updates

At a Special Durham Region Transit Commission Meeting on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the Durham Region Transit Commission approved the agreement with Unifor Local 222 – the union representing transit operators, maintenance, administrative staff and other key roles.  This agreement will expire on February 28, 2028. 

Thank you to the bargaining representatives for reaching a renewed agreement that reflects Durham Region Transit’s commitment to providing transit solutions across the Region of Durham in the most sustainable way possible. 

Durham Region Transit (DRT) and Unifor Local 222 have reached a tentative agreement. This means all DRT services will continue as scheduled. The agreement is subject to ratification by Union members and the Durham Region Transit Committee at a later date.
 

Unifor Local 222 represents transit operators, maintenance workers, clerical staff, and specialized services employees.  

The following Public Service Announcement was shared through DRT news channels:

Whitby, Ontario - DRT will end scheduled bus service by 11 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025, due to the potential of a strike by Unifor Local 222 as early as 12:01 a.m. (midnight) on Saturday, June 7, 2025.     

Customers are advised to check the detailed listing of last trips at DurhamRegionTransit.com/updates and make alternative transportation arrangements if necessary. 

Although the union will be in a legal strike position effective June 7, it does not necessarily mean that there will be a work disruption on that date. DRT will keep customers updated, as information is available.  

Where: Modified service hours during the late evening on Friday, June 6 will impact all scheduled DRT bus service across Durham Region.
When: Scheduled bus service will end by 11 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025.

If Unifor members do not go on strike June 7, 2025, regular service will resume on Saturday, June 7.
Why: To safely prepare for a potential service disruption at 12:01 a.m. (midnight) on Saturday, June 7.

Despite collective bargaining since March 31, 2025, DRT and Unifor Local 222 (the Union representing frontline DRT employees) have been unable to negotiate a new collective agreement.

These unionized employees will be in a legal strike position, effective June 7 at 12:01 a.m., 2025.
Note: DRT customers are encouraged to plan ahead and make alternate arrangements in case of a Unifor strike. Visit DurhamRegionTransit.com/updates for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

DRT will end scheduled bus service by 11 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025, due to the potential of a strike by Unifor Local 222 as early as 12:01 a.m. (midnight) on Saturday, June 7, 2025.     

Should Unifor not strike, regularly scheduled service will resume on Saturday, June 7, 2025.

The detailed listing of last trips is summarized below.

Service will end earlier than usual on the following routes:

• Route 302
  • Final southbound trip departs North Campus Terminal at 22:20
  • Final northbound trip departs Whitby Station at 21:52
• Route 410
  • Final northbound trip departs Oshawa Centre Terminal at 22:40
  • Final southbound trip departs Harmony Terminal at 22:39
• Route 502
  • Final westbound trip departs Simpson & King at 22:07
  • Eastbound service operates normally
• Route 900
  • Final westbound trip departs Ritson at 21:24
  • Final eastbound trip departs Centennial Circle at 21:57
  • Trips starting and ending at Pickering Parkway Terminal operate normally
• Route 901
  • Final northbound trip departs Lakeview Park at 21:45
  • Final southbound trip to Oshawa Centre Terminal departs North Campus Terminal at 22:29
  • Final southbound trip to Lakeview Park departs North Campus Terminal at 22:10
  • Service northbound from Oshawa Centre Terminal operates normally.
• Route 902
  • Final eastbound trip departs Oshawa Station at 22:05
  • Westbound service operates normally
• Route 905A
  • Final northbound trip to Bridle Road departs Whitby Station at 22:10
  • Southbound service from Bridle Road operates normally
• Route 905C
  • Final northbound trip to Uxbridge departs Whitby Station at 21:40
  • Final southbound trip departs Uxbridge at 20:45
• Route 915
  • Final westbound trip departs Harmony & Conlin at 22:35
  • Final eastbound trip departs Ajax Station at 22:15
• Route 916
  • Final westbound trip departs Harmony & Conlin at 22:05
  • Final eastbound trip departs Pickering Parkway Terminal at 21:35
• Route 917
  • Final westbound trip departs Oshawa Centre Terminal at 22:21
  • The westbound trip departing Ajax Station at 22:50 will not operate
  • Final eastbound trip departs Pickering Parkway Terminal at 21:51
• Route 920
  • Final westbound trip departs North Campus Terminal at 21:02
  • Final eastbound trip departs Scarborough Centre Station at 21:30
• Route N1
  • Will not operate on the evening of June 6/morning of June 7
• Route N2
  • Will not operate on the evening of June 6/morning of June 7

The following statement is being issued on behalf of Bill Holmes, General Manager of Durham Region Transit:

“Despite 12 days of negotiations, Durham Region Transit (DRT) and Unifor Local 222 (the Union representing front-line DRT employees) have been unable to reach a renewed collective agreement.

DRT and Unifor have engaged in productive discussions to improve the quality of work for all employees. Unfortunately, Unifor requested a No Board Report from the Ministry of Labour and it was issued on May 21, 2025.    

This means that Unifor Local 222 will be in a legal strike position effective June 7,2025. This doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be a service disruption on this date, it simply means that it could happen.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide more certainty or assurances right now. DRT will provide more detailed information regarding any labour disruption as it becomes available.

DRT and the Region remain committed to securing a deal with Unifor and our employees that is both fair and fiscally responsible. Please visit DurhamRegionTransit.com/updates for more information.”

No. As of now, Unifor Local 222, which represents DRT employees, will be in a legal strike position starting June 7, 2025. This does not mean a strike will occur on that date, but it means one could happen. 

On Demand service will continue to operate fully in rural areas except where scheduled routes had operated. On Demand will not be replacing scheduled routes or services.

For destinations within urban areas of the lakeshore municipalities (Clarington, Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering) On Demand service will only be available to customers registered with Specialized transit.

Select On Demand stops have been identified adjacent to urban areas, to enable customers travelling from rural zones to urban areas of the Region, to access alternate travel options such as taxi, ride share and GO Bus.

Integrated trips (On Demand connecting with scheduled service) will be paused during a disruption, and all trips for customers registered with specialized transit will be door-to-door.

Customers are advised to plan for extra travel time, in the event of On Demand service delays.

For information about how to book On Demand trips, visit On Demand Services - Durham Region Transit.

• Plan ahead: Consider alternative options such as carpooling, biking, taxi, transportation network company (TNC) options, or GO Bus where appropriate.
  
  
• Monitor updates: Stay informed through DRT’s official information channel (www.durhamregiontransit.com/updates) or by calling DRT Customer Service.

Who can I contact for more information?