CALGARY TRANSIT REDUCING SERVICE AS COVID-19 IMPACTS STAFF LEVELS

Chandrayee Roy Choudhury, Canada:

Calgary Transit will be temporarily reducing service starting Monday in anticipation of staff off sick with COVID-19.

Calgary Transit said Sunday that the rapidly spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant is impacting its staff levels, which has led to some unexpected service changes in recent weeks. 
      There are about 300 bus drivers, 60 community shuttle operators and about 18 CTrain drivers who are off sick. 
      COVID-19 has had a number of impacts on transit service. Earlier in the  pandemic, some staff were laid off due to lower ridership.
Between attrition and layoffs, the staff has shrunk by about 350 operators over the past two years.
      It's not known how long the transit shortage will last. 
Calgary Transit says riders should check their route schedule prior to taking a trip.