Lawrence mayor appeals for end to bus strike that has shut down regional transit system

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena publicly appealed Thursday for an end to a bus driver strike that has shut down the Merrimack Valley Transit authority for more than a week.

Read more Who will replace Graham Platner on the Maine ballot? These Democrats are raising their hand.

Bus drivers and mechanics from Teamsters Local 170 went on strike on July 1, halting scheduled MeVa bus service in multiple communities including Lawrence and Salem, N.H.

“Every day this strike continues, working families, seniors, students, and individuals with medical needs face increasing hardship as they struggle to access essential transportation,” DePena wrote Wednesday in an open letter to Local 170 and MeVa managers.

DePalma said he supports collective bargaining and the rights that provides to labor and management. But he urged both sides to consider the needs of community members affected by the stoppage.

Read more Maine Democrats plan convention to replace Platner: What to know about Senate race

“I ask that you keep the residents of Lawrence and the surrounding communities at the forefront of your discussions,” he wrote. “Our residents deserve a reliable transit system, and they are counting on all involved to reach an agreement that allows them to return to their daily lives.”

On its Facebook page, MeVa management has posted daily updates on the transit system’s status.

“On Thursday, July 9, we will not be operating due to a labor strike,” the most current posting reads. “We do not know how long the strike will last.”

Read more ‘A slow-rolling disaster’: Inside the implosion of the Platner campaign

This is a developing story and will be updated.