Halifax Regional Police are changing tactics in their efforts to ease traffic during the transit strike. 

Last week, police officers stepped in to direct traffic in problem zones to help the flow.

“But what we noticed is that when we cleared one intersection, it just moves the problem a little down the road,” Halifax Regional Police spokesman Const. Brian Palmeter said on Monday.

So going into the second week of the strike, police are looking to solve some of the causes of traffic congestion instead. That means a lot of tickets.

“Vehicles that are illegally parked on main thoroughfares, vehicles that are broken down, vehicles that enter intersections that can’t get all the way through. Those are the things we’ll be focusing on,” he said.

There’s been no call to generally issue more tickets, Palmeter said, but police will ticket and tow illegally parked vehicles if they can’t locate the owners.

Blocking intersections is a common infraction on HRM streets, he said, and it makes busy rush hours even worse.

“It prevents the cross traffic from flowing through, so it keeps traffic at a standstill. So, obviously, if we can keep the intersections clear, we think that will help the afternoon commute.”

According to HRM, there were 2,975 parking tickets handed out during the first week of the strike. That’s about 700 more than the same week last year, when there was no transit strike.

“If people don’t have to be out during the afternoon rush hour, they’d probably find it a lot less stressful to stay off the roads,” Palmeter said. “But if they have to be on the roads, then we just ask for them to take their time and be patient.”

How commuters are coping

We asked: How has your commute been going during the transit strike?   

Via Twitter:

• @fosterd3: live pretty close to dal, used to take bus for cnvence. Strike has forced me to get off my rear and walk. Thanks @hfxtransit!
• @HalConChick: My commute? $20 1 direction for cab, or 2 hour walk. For both me and hubby. So either 4 hours walk each, or $80 cab per day.
• @erik_l24: simply 6k to school and 6k back in the winter weather. Wish the bus drivers and union got to experience this at least once…
• @jennyleigh84: traffic is heavier and I have to rely on my parents for transportation for the first time in about 11 years.
• @evandentremont: Amazing commute. I bought a car, and it takes 10 min to drive my fiancée to work instead of an hour trip on the bus.
• @jennt16: waiting over an hour in traffic to get to halifax from dartmouth and paying $16/day in parking, missing the 7 min ferry ride.
• @spedked82: its been expensive and wiped out my savings i work to pay cabs to get to work
• @Sniper257: I bought myself a bike for the duration of the strike, 20 minutes long uphill to school, 15 downhill back.

Via Facebook:

• Gregogree Karman: I’ve recently acquired the skill of flying. It’s awesome, I have a lot of frequent flyer miles now. My arms are a little tired though.
• Joann Neish: I cant leave early so im always late but its ok im supportive of unions so i suck it up.
• Travis Newport: Instead of taking the bus, I take our car. I don’t have to wait in the cold for a late bus, I don’t need to see unfriendly people, and sit next to people of poor hygiene.
• Erin Porter Christian: I’m finding traffic is lighter in the mornings and it’s easier to get around but in the afternoon, traffic is a nightmare.
• Abdullah Al Faraj: I find the strike is a good idea for now. I see people walking around which is healthy to go to school/ work! Good Exercise :)