Philadelphians react to possible SEPTA strike

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - They're moving now.

But will the Market-Frankford and Broad Street subway lines, and SEPTA's busses and trolleys be running beyond tomorrow night?

The union signs ready to go. More than 5,000 SEPTA employees are prepared to hit the picket lines if there's no deal by midnight Monday going into Tuesday.

The battle is over pensions, healthcare, and scheduling. The union says many operators don't get breaks even long enough to use the restroom.

"It'll be bad. Bad. Really bad," Nihlasia Peace said.

A strike would not impact regional rail or the Norristown High Speed line.

But getting to school or work for more than 400,0000 riders on Tuesday could suddenly become a major hassle, if not impossible.

Jennifer King said, "I won't be able to get to work, because I use public transportation for everything. And to think that they don't have any kind of backup system, because it has happened before, it's really bad."

"Every time they're negotiating contracts, it always happens. I wish that they could do something that's final once and for all, and so people could get to work," Lee Heard said.

Shuttle service is being planned for employees who work at hospitals in University City. The city itself is making contingency plans for employees. And Philadelphia Schools will keep a regular schedule, with arrangements being made to get learning materials to students who can't get to school.

Still, if busses, trolleys, and the subway all come to a screeching halt Tuesday morning many like Brendalyn Irving have no way to work. And no work means no pay.

"It's gonna affect me badly. How are you going to get around it? I really don't know."

Heard said, "We the public have to suffer, and that's wrong."