On the eve of the three-month mark of the York Region Transit (YRT) strike, there’s reason for some cautious optimism among commuters: all sides are back at the bargaining table this week.

Talks between the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 and Miller Transit — the company contracted to operate YRT buses on 51 routes — are set to continue Monday after both sides returned to the table on Friday. Local 1587 president Ray Doyle told CityNews the mood of the talks being held in Markham has been positive. He also said he's hopeful a deal could be reached on Monday.

And nearly a week after it rejected the latest offer, ATU Local 113 will resume talks Monday morning with Veolia Transportation, which runs Viva service.

Transit workers in York Region walked off the job on Oct. 24, 2011, after contract talks between two union locals and three separate contractors failed. About 60 per cent of bus routes and 44,000 commuters have been affected by the strike.

Last week, York Region fired contractor First Canada, which operated 29 YRT and Viva routes. A new contract is being worked out with a different company to take over that service. Route 98, which serves Yonge Street between Richmond Hill and Newmarket, will resume Feb. 5.

Veolia and Miller Transit now have until Wednesday to present a new bus service restoration plan as contract talks continue.