The first bus strike in Orange County over the past 21 years created difficulties for thousands of commuters Monday morning as 1,100 transportation workers protested.

The last bus strike Orange County experienced occurred in 1981, when it lasted 12 days. This time around, the strike began Saturday, after union leaders rejected a proposed contract offer, and continued into the workweek, bringing confusion and frustration to riders.

Of the 81 bus lines in the county, only 31 still run, though most of these are short routes and rail feeders operated by a subcontractor. Some employees have already pinned down possible solutions to help their workers arrive, such as carpools.

Disneyland Resort, the largest employer in the OC with approximately 20,000 workers, set up a carpool hotline enabling employees to find out about car pools in their area, spokesman Bob Tucker said.

The drivers, now making between $13.72 and $21.42 an hour, are demanding a 14 percent pay raise over three years. They have argued that Orange County is among the most expensive areas in California.

“We're really hopeful this won't be a long-term situation. We want the union to come back and talk to us,” transit spokesperson Joel Zlotni said.