MONCTON, N.B. – After five long months for workers and bus riders in Greater Moncton, the Codiac Transpo bus labour dispute is finally over.

The new contract agreement between the city and the union representing Transpo workers was ratified this afternoon.

The union voted 91 per cent in favour of the new deal, with city council voting unanimously in favour.

Terms of the contract include an average wage increase of 2.58 per cent over 9.2 years.

Paul Thomson, the city’s communications director, says it’s a relief.

“This was a long, very difficult work stoppage and labour dispute, and we’re glad we can put it behind us.”

Thomson says mechanics will be back on the job tomorrow, working to ensure that the buses are roadworthy before being put back into service, while drivers will go through re-orientation and retraining.

He says they plan to have partial service restored before Christmas.

Meanwhile, there are going to be some changes made to bus routes and schedules.

Thomson says the new service will include more frequent routes, reduced travel times, an improved transfer system with little or no waiting between transfers, and will allow them to expand or contract routes based on customer demand.