More than 15 bus drivers crossed the picket line Monday, the first day of a strike by Portage Area Transit Authority drivers.

Pickets went up in front of PARTA's main office on Summit Road in Kent at 4 a.m., said Trina Molnar, field representative for the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 37, which represents 55 to 65 drivers.

PARTA officials said the bus service ran its normal schedule and that all buses ran on time.

Buses were operated by the drivers who did not strike, as well as other PARTA employees, such as mechanics and supervisors — who are trained to drive transit buses.

''There were no incidents,'' PARTA spokesman W. Frank Hairston said. ''Everything ran smoothly.''

PARTA also operated its Kent State University bus service, which uses nonunion student drivers.

PARTA serves about 7,700 riders daily, of which about 5,700 are Kent State students and employees.

Molnar said she was not discouraged by the number of drivers who crossed.

''We already knew basically how many drivers we felt were going to cross,'' she said.

Striking drivers were encouraged by ''huge community support,'' she said.

''We had people bring food. . . . We had students carrying our signs and signs that they made,'' she said.

A handful of Kent State activists joined drivers who picketed outside PARTA headquarters Monday, Molnar said. She said that about three dozen striking workers were outside the building until about 6 p.m.

Picketing was scheduled to resume at 4 a.m. today, she said.

She said that nine union members crossed the picket line as well as two probationary drivers, who are not yet eligible to join the union. Another seven drivers — who have not joined the union — also crossed.

Drivers went on strike Monday morning after last-ditch negotiating attempts broke down Sunday afternoon. The union filed a 10-day strike notice on Aug. 15.

The union is trying to get its first labor contract with the bus agency.

Union and PARTA officials say the main point holding up a contract is the union wanting a ''fair share'' provision in the language that would require nonunion people to pay dues if they receive union-negotiated benefits and protections.

Negotiations started in July 2006, and an impasse was declared a year ago.

PARTA drivers are paid between $8 and $14.05 an hour, according to Hairston. The agency has proposed a three-year contract with a 3 percent raise the first year and 2.25 percent raises in the next two years.