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Federal labour code changes last September have severely impacted the number of drivers available to fulfil OC Transpo bus service, the city’s transportation boss says.

“It’s the perfect storm, and it’s not excuses,” John Manconi told the transit commission Wednesday, answering questions about what has been causing bus trip cancellations, which have become the latest transit bugaboo for the ridership.

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There aren’t enough drivers and, as Manconi said, staff are “exhausted.”

The overtime is available, but in some cases, drivers are choosing family time during the holiday season rather than picking up more work, the commission heard.

The transit commission meeting was the last of the year for the municipal government, fitting since transit has dominated the headlines from city hall in 2019.

It provided one last chance before the Christmas holidays for commissioners to check in on the LRT system and bus network, since they aren’t scheduled to meet again until February.