SEPTA strike affecting Philadelphia businesses

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Mrs. Kay's Koffee shop enjoyed its first busy morning of the week Friday. The SEPTA strike has reduce the number of customers and made it tough for employees to get to work.

"We were closed yesterday because no cook could showed up at all," Carol Ferrier told FOX 29.

Kevin Stevens is one of those cooks. The SEPTA strike his cost him big money.

"I've been off for two days because my daughter had to get to school. I had no way to take her to school. Finally made arrangements for someone to pick her up. So now I'm here. This is my first day here," he explained.

Over at Primos hoagies, business is down 30% and they're closing early each day; 3 p.m. instead of 8. Workers trying to get home at 9 or 10 at night without buses, trolleys and the subway find it nearly impossible unless they're willing to pay big bucks for a cab, Uber or Lyft. Regional rail is up, of course, but for those unfamiliar with using iit.

"One of my employees called me upset from New Jersey because he got on the wrong train. So it's certainly been a struggle and an education," said Pat McGovern.

It's a similar story at Nick's Bar and Grill. Business was dead Monday and they closed Tuesday when workers couldn't get in. And so, starting Wednesday, owner Joey Schultice started driving his employees to work.

"I had to go to West Philadelphia to pick one guy up then Northeast Philly to pick up another guy. They don't live too close to each other," he explained.

All of the business people we of talked to told us they sympathize with both sides in this the labor dispute, but they want--no they need-- to see these streets teeming with buses once again.