DENVER (AP) -- Taxi companies and carpooling groups reported an uptick in business as a Denver-area transit strike by bus drivers, train operators and mechanics entered its second day Tuesday.þþThe Regional Transportation District used private contractors to keep about 45 percent of its bus routes running Monday but closed light-rail operations and a shuttle service stretching along a downtown pedestrian mall.þþ''Denver is just not fit for this many cars,'' said restaurant worker Roger Gilmore, 31, as he stood next to a half-empty parking lot watching for his bus during his afternoon commute.þþParking was at a premium Monday, with some spots in private lots going for $50 as thousands flocked downtown to watch the Colorado Rockies play the Arizona Diamondbacks on opening day and later the Colorado Avalanche take on the Chicago Blackhawks.þþThe transit system averages about 275,000 rides per weekday.þþPublic school officials were allowing high schoolers to hitch rides on school buses that transport physically handicapped students or on district buses that deliver elementary or middle schoolers near their high school.þþThe strike meant more money for Ross Alexander, president of Denver-Boulder Yellow Cab. ''The phones are ringing. There's no doubt about it,'' said Alexander. ''The drivers are having a feeding frenzy now.''þþWhile traffic on Denver's highways moved normally with some reported backups on off-ramps, Aurora resident Lauren Barela complained that her commute took an hour and 20 minutes, instead of her usual 45 minute bus ride.þþ''I won't be able to do this for too long, maybe a week. It's just taking me way too long,'' said Barela, 24, who rides the bus to save on gas and parking.þþUnion leaders had recommended approval of the transportation authority's contract, which included a wage hike of $1.80 an hour over three years in 15-cent raises every quarter, plus increases in health benefits. However, 55 percent of workers rejected the offer in a Sunday vote, triggering the strike.þþ''We have talked to both sides and urged them to find common ground as quickly as possible. We are hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon,'' said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.þþThe state Labor Department has notified the union that the strike would not jeopardize public safety and Gov. Bill Owens has no plans to intervene, according to his spokesman, Dan Hopkins.þ
Source: NY Times
