As hundreds of thousands of commuters and schoolchildren braced for a second day without public transit, Gov. Rendell and Mayor Nutter chastised union leaders for calling the surprise predawn strike.

With most SEPTA buses, subways and trolleys idled, thousands of extra riders yesterday crammed onto Regional Rail trains, forcing widespread delays, especially during the evening rush hour. Many others took to their cars, snarling traffic throughout the region.

Negotiations could resume today between SEPTA and striking Transport Workers Union Local 234, which represents about 5,100 SEPTA vehicle operators and mechanics. The workers went on strike at 3 a.m. yesterday.

“It was an ambush of the citizens and the riding public,” Nutter said. “No one saw this coming. Everyone was caught off guard here.”

Read the full Inquirer article here

Tags: Nutter, Rendell, SEPTA

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