UWO officials say they'll continue running shuttle vans for students during the LTC strike, despite demands from two of the University's biggest unions to scrap the service.
The shuttle service has become a key point of contention since it was launched Monday afternoon.
Late Tuesday, the UWO Faculty Association and Staff Association publicly called on University President Dr.Amit Chakma to cancel the service, arguing it was an attempt to undermine work normally done by striking transit drivers.
While they appreciate the union's concern, UWO's VP of Resources and Operations Gitta Kulczycki says the shuttle vans will not be pulled.
"Yes, it's going to continue. I understand that yesterday, we provided 400 rides to students to those particular locations that had been identified. And I've been hearing those students are so greatful."
One of the largest unions at Western now says its members will cross picket lines and continue teaching if LTC union members organize demonstrations near campus." she said Wednesday.
The service has also angered LTC bus drivers. They'll vote later this week whether to set up information pickets at campus gates as a result.
There had been talk the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association would advise its 1,500 members not to cross picket lines. It was a move that could've left classrooms and lecture halls empty.
They're now saying if picket lines are formed, they'll advise their members to cross and report for work.
"Our collective agreement stipulates that we are obligated to cross picket lines of other employee groups and report to work, so we will be doing so. Faculty are obligated to report, and deliver their lectures, and do all the things that faculty do." said James Compton, the Vice-President of the UWO Faculty Association.
Marjorie Ratcliffe, a member of the UWO Faculty Association questions whether the transit service is even needed."It's a perfectly lovely sunny day, and there's no reason why people can't be walking, or biking. I don't think there's any need for this van system to have been set up."
Others like Elgin Austen, the head of campus Police at Western, disagree. He would prefer students take advantage of the shuttle service, saying it's an issue of safety.
"Anything that would create the environment where they need to walk, or be alone in the evening would be some degree of vulnerability."
The University announced Monday it had arranged to rent 47 vans to assist students and staff in getting to and from campus.
The service is free, and is meant to be used by people who live more than a 30 minute walk from campus. The university has arranged with local businesses to use their properties for pick up and drop off.
The service will operate Mondays through Thursdays (7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and 9 to 10:30 p.m.) on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m.).
Click here for a full map of pick-up and drop-off locations.