In news that should please the 25,000 daily users of the Santa Clarita Transit, the City’s bus drivers are closer to agreeing to a contract that’s been held in the balance since August.

Service provider MV Transportation and Teamsters Local 572, which represents the company’s 160 drivers, have held several meetings over the last couple of months, coming closest to reaching a new contract last Friday.

Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking news alerts delivered right to your inbox.

“During last week’s meeting, the union’s negotiations team and MV management reached a tentative agreement that will be voted on by the members sometime this week,” said Nikki Frenney, head of MV Transportation’s Media Relations department.

The tentative agreement should quell local riders’ fears of a strike, which would severely affect the Santa Clarita Valley’s seven bus routes as well commuter routes to Lancaster, North Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles.  

Per the previous union contract, drivers earned between $10 to $18 an hour based on seniority as well as medical and dental benefits and a 401(k) plan. They are also guaranteed a 40-hour work week.  

“I don’t think we’re going to strike,” said one Santa Clarita Transit driver, who preferred to remain anonymous.  

“It’s more about the healthcare plans. We want those to be better,” he said. 

Teamsters Local 572 will vote on whether or not to approve the contract offered by MV Transportation this Friday.