New York, NY —

The Triboro Coach and the Jamaica Bus Lines in Queens were the first to stop services as part of the Transport Workers Union strike. Together these lines serve about 57,000 commuters. Reporter Wilma Consul rode the commuter vans to talk to the affected riders.

A lot of people left stranded by the striking bus lines opted to use commuter vans instead of the more expensive taxis or car services. From 5AM till about 9:30 this morning, these vans were full, bringing passengers to and from Jamaica Center. Vans from Brooklyn accommodated the rush-hour crowd.

REPORTER: Passenger Sharon Figueroa went to work in Manhattan. But her son - like a lot of students who rely on the striking buses to get to school -- had to stay home.

FIGUEROA: My son, he didn't go to school today…he had to miss school today.

REPORTER: Most commuter vans are charging $2 a ride, only 50 cents more than the normal fare and lower than the city's $5 contingency plan.

Driver Dee Clark said the van lines are sympathetic to their passengers.

CLARK: Because we're poor people, we're not rich people. If I charge them $5, it's like killing our own people. So we only charge them $2 per head.

REPORTER: If the subway strike happens tomorrow, the drivers said they will expand their routes to Manhattan. And if the commuters can't find another way to go to work or to school, they said they will stay home.