of Ride users and the number of daily Ride trips continue to increase every year. The MBTA has partially addressed the issue of cost by instituting programs where certain Ride users can use lower cost TNC (technology network company) rides (e.g., Lyft, Uber) which provide curb to curb service. 2020 VTS Strike Effective June 27, 2020, VTS and NEXT began covering the catchment area previously served by GLSS. Many former GLSS drivers became VTS employees at this time. On July 12, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the drivers at VTS voted to strike over health benefits. Teamsters Local 25 had been negotiating a new contract with VTS for several weeks before it expired at the end of June. Social distancing is very difficult in the Ride vehicles and impossible when the passengers require physical assistance, so the drivers were very concerned about protecting their health. In April 2020, The Ride discontinued shared rides to protect passengers and drivers during the pandemic. However, once the strike began the MBTA stated “Due to a shortage of drivers, shared trips on The Ride will temporarily resume. Customers should expect to be on vehicles at the same time as other customers.” On July 19, 2020, after being on strike for eight days, Veterans drivers approved a new contract, with 90% of the voters voting in favor of it. References External links MBTA's The Ride Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority