Well, so much for hoping that Chittenden County Transportation Authority drivers would soon get back behind the wheel. 

While drivers on the picket lines on Friday said they had been told to plan to vote on a new contract today and were preparing to return to work by Monday, a marathon 17-hour bargaining session failed to yield an agreement between management and union representatives. 

By Saturday morning, it had became clear that there would be no deal, no vote and no end in sight for the 71 union drivers — or for the students, workers and and other daily riders who have been forced to seek alternate transportation or found themselves stranded since drivers began striking earlier this month. Normally, the bus agency provides 9,700 rides a day. 

"The mediator called it off because there was no forward movement," driver spokesman Rob Slingerland said in a statement posted on the drivers' website. "Negotiating team held strong as the company literally attacked everything! Not quite sure what the company is looking for but it sure looks like they aren't caring too much about their ridership! They give, they take back, they give, they take back. Why are we even talking to them? So sad ...... Going into 3rd week of walking the line and twice we met and they wanted it their way ..... as usual. Solidarity ......."